2023 Symposium Book of Abstracts

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

BioSketch

Heidi M Anderson, President University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Heidi M Anderson, a native of Gary, IN, assumed the presidency of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore on September 1, 2018

She is the 16th leader of the 1890 land-grant institution in Princess Anne that opened its doors on Sept 13, 1886 as the Delaware Conference Academy initially under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

A three-time graduate of Purdue University in her native Indiana, Dr Anderson came to UMES with nearly two decades of higher education leadership experience.

“What I personally value about access, quality and opportunity – the tools that close the achievement gap

are at the core of my leadership,” she said.

She was previously chief academic policymaker at Texas A&M University-Kingsville from 2015 to 2017, where she managed a $35 million budget and directed 22 academic departments, 10 centers and institutes She oversaw creation of new degrees in computer science, engineering and clinical mental health counseling

Prior to working in Texas, Dr. Anderson was chief academic policymaker at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia from 2013 to 2015 Between 2006 and 2013, she held a variety of positions at the University of Kentucky, including professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, assistant dean for educational innovation, associate provost for faculty affairs and vice president/associate provost for institutional effectiveness

Her classroom experience includes work as professor and chair of Auburn University’s Pharmacy Care System Department and serving an assistant professor in the University of Tennessee’s College of Pharmacy

She has served as president and vice president of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Dr Anderson earned her Ph D in pharmacy administration, a Master’s in education and a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy from Purdue, also a land-grant university

UMES President

Heidi Anderson

BioSketch

Rondall Allen, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr Rondall E Allen joined UMES on July 1, 2015 as Dean of the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Prior to coming to UMES, he served as the Associate Dean for Academic Quality at South University School of Pharmacy. He also served in several administrative roles during his tenure at Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy to include Director of Experiential Education, Assistant Dean for Program Assessment and Associate Dean for Student Affairs Currently, he serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Dr Allen has over 33 years of experience in the profession of pharmacy and has spent the last 20 years in academia He has practiced in a variety of settings to include community pharmacy, acute care, ambulatory care, and the pharmaceutical industry. As a clinician, he developed and implemented two outpatient anticoagulation clinics in which he managed patients with deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary emboli, atrial fibrillation and other clotting disorders.

Rondall Allen, PharmD

Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs

Dr Allen was recently appointed to another four-year term by the Governor to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE). The MHBE is responsible for overseeing the Affordable Care Act for the state of Maryland He also serves on the Board of Directors for TidalHealth and the Board of Directors for the Maryland Technology Development Corporation He is a trained site-team evaluator for the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education and has served as a consultant for several Schools/Colleges of Pharmacy

Dr. Allen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Xavier University of Louisiana College of Pharmacy He completed a post-graduate Pharmacy Practice residency at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN and is a Fellow of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy He also completed Harvard’s Graduate School of Education Institute for Management in Leadership Education program.

Welcome Message

April 20, 2023

Greetings and welcome!

I’d like to personally welcome each of you to the 12th Annual Graduate Research Symposium This year’s theme is: Avoiding the Silo: Collaborative and Holistic Approaches to Research

It’s an exciting time for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and our researchers who continue to find answers to the world’s most challenging questions. This year’s symposium focuses on collaboration and working together to find those answers, especially as we emerge from a global pandemic

As we continue to grow and adapt to the changing world, we will continue to provide forums such as this to ensure that we bring inspired people together who want to share their expertise and talents

LaKeisha Harris, PhD

Dean, School of Graduate Studies

This year over 160 participants have registered for the symposium and we are super excited to welcome you all to the Engineering Building to hear from your peers and learn about the exciting research they are doing We have oral and poster presentations from faculty and students, the 3MT competition which is a symposium favorite, and special presentations from research faculty who want to help you improve your research and writing skills

Before I close, I’d like to thank each of you for attending our 12th Annual Research Symposium and I look forward to meeting you all and learning about the exciting things you are doing in the classrooms and labs Throughout this day, I ask you to stay engaged, ask questions, listen to the presentations and take the time to meet someone new. Thank you for making this year’s symposium a success

With Cheer,

LaKeisha L Harris, Ph D Dean

UMES President & Cabinet

Dr. Heidi Anderson

Ms Latoya Jenkins Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Engagement

President

Mr. David Balcom Vice President for University Relations

Ms Anastasia Rodriguez Vice President for Administration and Finance

Mr. Matthew Taylor General Counsel

Ms. Tara Owens Athletics Director

Ms. Alissa Carr AVP/Director of Marketing and External Communications

Dr Robert Mock Chief of Staff

Dr. Rondall Allen Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Call for Abstracts

Graduate Education Week Committee

Dr. LaKeisha Harris Convener

Dr Wele Elangwe Program Chair & Book of Abstracts

Ms. Angela Young Planner-in-Chief

Mr. Preston Gross Registration

Mr Harry Godwin Webmaster

Ms. Isabelle Puwo Support Staff

Dr. Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde Chair of Judges

Ms Uchenna Nwonye Co-Chair of Judges

Ms Rhashanda Haywood Co-Chair of Judges

Dr. Kelsie Endicott Editor Book of Abstracts

Ms Amelia Potter Program Co-Chair

Dr. Eric May Logistics

Sponsors & Affiliate Institutions

Sponsors

Office of the President

Division of Academic Affairs

Office of Institutional Advancement

Office of Title III

Center for Instructional Technology and Online Learning

Office of Research

Microsoft

Vendors

Affiliate

Institutions

Agricultural Research Station, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA

Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA 22601, USA

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806, USA

Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, and Center for Food Safety and Security Systems, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

Department of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA

Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA

Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA

Agricultural Research Center-West, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NCCOS, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory, Oxford, MD 21654, USA

Salisbury University, Salisbury MD 21801, USA

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, 20740, USA

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Dover, DE 19901, USA

University of Maryland Extension, Wye Research & Education Center, P.O. Box 169, Queenstown, MD 21658, USA

USDA-ARS-Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA

Thompson Hospitality , UMES Crestline, Inc.

The Print & Ship / Drewer Taylor Printing, Princess Anne, MD

7th Graduate Education Week Schedule

Tuesday, April 18

The Nations at UMES

Time and Place

Tuesday - Saturday April 18-22, 2023

Engineering & Aviation Science Complex

10:00am - 1:00pm: Country Displays - EASC Atrium 4:00pm - 6:00pm: Immigration Workshop (Virtual)

https://meet.google.com/chm-gfwq-rwn

Wednesday, April 19

Graduate School Fair

10:00am - 1:00pm: Graduate Programs at UMES EASC Atrium

Thursday, April 20 12th Annual Research Symposium Day

https://meet.google.com/kcm-bcxm-tjj

8:00am -1:00pm: Registration - EASC Atrium

9:20am-10:30am: 3MT Competition - EASC 1088 10:30am -12:00pm: Oral Presentations - EASC 1066, 1079, 1080, 1094, 1088) 12:00pm -1:00pm: Lunch (EASC Atrium) 1:00pm -2:30pm: Poster Presentations (EASC Atrium)

Friday, April 21 & Saturday, April 22

Writing Retreat (EASC Atrium & 1083)

Friday, 4:00pm - 8:00pm: Grad Hawks Writing Retreat (Online)

Saturday, 9:00am -4:00pm: Grad Hawks Writing Retreat (In-Person)

Symposium Day Schedule

8:00am - 1:30pm

EASC Atrium (Central Entrance by the Radio Station)

ParticipantCheck-in(EASCAtriumRegistrationDesk)

8:00am - 10:00am

JudgesandModeratorsCheck-in (EASCAtriumacrossfromRegistration)

8:00am - 9:00am

9:15 am - 9:20am

9:20am - 10:30am

10:30 am - 12:00pm

12:00pm - 1:00pm

1:00pm - 2:30pm

2:30 pm - 2:45pm

2:45pm - 3:15pm

Continental Breakfast (EASC Atrium)

Greetings (EASC Room 1088) Dr LaKeisha Harris, Dean, School of Graduate Studies

ThreeMinuteThesis(3MT®)Competition (EASCRoom1088)

GraduateCompetition

UndergraduateCompetition

Question/AnswerSession

Awards

1stPlaceGraduateWinner

2ndPlaceGraduateWinner

1stPlaceUndergraduateWinner People'sChoiceWinner

Oral Presentations

LUNCH

IRBOne-on-OneConsultationwithDr.Bobenko,EASC1088

Poster Presentations Break

Awards Ceremony (EASC Room 1088)

THE END!!!

Thank you and See you Next Year 2024!

Competition

Competition Rules

The presentation must be no longer than 3 minutes in length, or the competitor will be disqualified

The presentation is considered to have begun when the student starts the presentation through movement or speech.

Presentations should include a single, static slide (no transitions, movement, or animation in the slide) You don’t need to have a slide Slides are not compulsory

No script or cue cards may be used during the presentation; students must recite their presentation by memory

No additional props are permitted (i.e. costumes, musical instruments, lab equipment).

Presentations must be spoken-word (i e no poem, rap, song) Note that passages from songs, poems, etc are acceptable if the presentation requires quoting from such sources, but it is recommended that you limit your use of such quotations

No additional electronic media (sound or video files) are permitted within the presentation

Judging Criteria

Each competitor’s presentation will be assessed according to the criteria listed below. Please note that each criterion is equally weighted

1. Comprehension:

Did the presentation help the audience understand the research?

2. Engagement

Did the oration make the audience want to know more?

3. Communication

Was the thesis topic and its significance communicated in language appropriate to a nonspecialist audience?

Award Categories

1. 2 3 4

1st Place Graduate Winner - $500

2nd Place Graduate Winner - $250

Undergraduate Winner - $500

People's Choice Award - $ 250

Competition

Judges & TimeKeeper

Judges

Ms. Andrea Taylor

Academic Advisor & Tutoring Supervisor, Center for Access and Success

Ms. Victoria Wolf

Center for Instructional Technology and Online Learning

Dr. Prince Attoh

Organizational Leadership Program

Timekeeper

Harry Godwin

Master Student, Applied Computer Science

Undergraduate Category

Yeganeh Mansourian

Senior, Biochemistry

Mouaye Atchimon

Senior, Aviation Science

Isaac Omodia

Senior, Engineering

Moera Abate

Senior, Aviation Science

Abigail Heinz

Senior, Aviation Science

Graduate Category

Tahirah Johnson

Doctoral Student - Food and Agricultural Sciences (FASC)

Evan Eibner

Doctoral Student – Physical Therapy (DPT)

Annette Kenney

Doctoral Student - Food and Agricultural Sciences (FASC)

Priscilla Kini

Doctoral Student - Toxicology (TOX)

Brian Goodwyn

Doctoral Student - Food and Agricultural Sciences (FASC)

Rupo Lagat

Master's Student – Applied Computer Science (APSC)

Jocelyn Martin

Doctoral Student - Organizational Leadership (ORLD)

Competition Schedule

IntroductionofJudges,CompetitionRulesandJudgingCriteria. Dr.WeleElangwe,DirectorofGraduateStudentServices

9:24am - 9:50am Graduate Category

9:24am - 9:28am

Tahirah Johnson, Doctoral Student - Food & Agricultural Sciences

Occurrence and pathogenic potential of Shewanella species found in oysters and seawater from the Chesapeake and Maryland Coastal Bay

9:28 am - 9:32am

Evan Eibner, Doctoral Student – Physical Therapy

Exploring relationships between measures of functional mobility in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Annette Kenney, Doctoral Student - Food & Agricultural Sciences

9:32am - 9:36am

9:36am - 9:40am

9:40am - 9:44am

Precipitation and temperature influence survival and transfer of escherichia coli to tresh produce in manure-amended certified organic soils in maryland

Priscilla Kini, Doctoral Student - Toxicology

The poor man's disease, how do we stop it?

Brian Goodwyn, Doctoral Student - Food & Agricultural Sciences

Presence of foodborne pathogens in pre- and post-harvest integrated croplivestock farm environments and fresh produce on the Eastern Shore of Maryland

9:44am - 9:48am

Rupo Lagat, Master's Student – Applied Computer Science

Computerized disease diagnosis with clinical guidelines healthcare system

9:48am - 9:52am

Jocelyn Martin, Doctoral Student - Organizational Leadership

The Relationship Between Spiritual Leadership and Ethical Workplace Behaviors

Undergraduate Category

Yeganeh Mansourian, Biochemistry

9:56am - 10:00am 10:00am - 10:04am

- 10:08am

10:08am - 10:12am

- 10:16am 10:16 am - 10:25am 3:15pm - 4:00pm

am - 10:30am

- 12:00pm

Theory and experiment of capillary dynamics of colloidal and 2D suspensions in water

Mouaye Atchimon, Aviation Science

Why are we still misleading luggage?

Isaac Omodia, Aerospace Engineering Vibration based adhesion

Moera Abate, Aviation Science

Behind the Scenes: The Complex Operations and Management of Airports

Abigail Heinz, Aviation Science (Online)

How confident are you in your pilot training?

Questions/Voting of People’s Choice Award

Word from Timekeeper and Judge’s Representative

Egress to Oral Presentation Sessions

Announcement of Winners

Online Presenters: Room EASC 1088 Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm

https://meet.google.com/kcm-bcxm-tjj

10:30am OOG6

10:45am OOG9

“No Shade, No Tea”: Repurposing Language Usage Perceptions Emily Madison* and Dr. Shannon Kelley. Department of Literacy Studies, Salisbury University, Salisbury MD 21801

Optimizing Techniques For Feminized Seed Production in Cannabis sativa L Antonio Junior* , Michael Foland and Sadanand Dhekney Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:00am OOG11

The Pleasure Reading Habits of American Adults: A Systematic Literature Review. Faith Thompson, Dr Judith Franzak, Dr Heather Porter Department of Literacy Studies, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD 21801

Faculty Presenters Room: EASC 1066 Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm

10:30am OF1

10:45am OF2

Extracts of Algae as Active Ingredients for Natural Antifouling Protection Travis Ford*, Williams Weaver, Joseph Pitula, and Victoria V. Volkis. Department of Natural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Grapevine Genome Editing Using CRISPR/Cas9 for Trait Improvement. Papaiah Sardaru*, Carissa Jackson and Sadanand Dhekney Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne MD 21853

11:00am OF3

Grapevine Trait Improvement Using Precision Breeding and Genome Editing. Sadanand Dhekney*, Papaiah Sardaru, Carissa Jackson, Juliaana Fitts and Cherie Wood Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:15am OF4

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perceptions of Substance-Use Disorders Among Healthcare Professions. Dr. Khaled Hasan*. University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:30am OF5

Overcoming COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Using Underserved High School Students as Ambassadors. Dr. Yen Dang1*, Dr Adel Karara2, Dr Anjan Nan2 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Graduate Presenters Room: EASC 1079 Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm Page

10:30am OG1

10:45am OG2

An Inter-Mediating Internship Project Harry Godwin* University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Computerized disease diagnosis with the clinical guidelines healthcare system Rupo Jebet Lagat* Department of computer science and Engineering, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Early Drug Discovery of Novel Small Molecules as Potential Anti-Seizure Agents. Haywood, Rhashanda* 1; Martin, Miguel1; Bell, Tracy2; Jackson-Ayotunde, Patrice PhD1 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne, MD 21853.,

Princess Anne, MD 21853

Effects of Biochar on the Growth of Strawberry Erasmus K Aduteye*, Naveen K Dixit, and Caleb Nindo. Department of Agriculture, Food & Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:30am OG13

Comparison Study of Coupled vs. Decoupled Aquaponics Systems: An Assessment of Lettuce and Tilapia Crop Quantity and Quality Kayland Huckaby*, Chris Mullins, Sarah Witiak, Bryan Sayre, Robert White, and Jason Younkin. College of Natural and Health Sciences, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA University

Graduate Presenters: EASC 1080 Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm

10:30am OG5

10:45am OG7

Influence of Bisphenol A on Leptin Receptor Signaling Pathways in Dopaminergic Neurons I Ngoka*, S Black, A Ishaque and A Elnabawi University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853.

Non-ionic surfactant based nanovesicle (Niosome) formulations of small molecule drugs for use in epilepsy treatment. Chad Carrig1* and Dr Anjan Nan1 1* School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:00am OG8

11:15am OG10

Optimizing Substrates for Vegetative Propagation of Cannabis sativa L. William Burks, Michael Foland and Sadanand Dhekney Department of Agriculture, Food & Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne MD 21853

The Effects of Cultivars on Phytochemical Contents and Antioxidant Capacities in Flowers and Kief of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Grown on the Eastern Shore of Maryland E Noh*, S Dhekney, and B R Min Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:30am OG12

Where is it all STEMming from: An exploration of African American female's career aspirations. Jean Goblinger,*. University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Presenters Room: EASC 1094 Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm

10:30am OUG1

A Comparative Assessment of Current Geopolitical Risks that the United States faces from China and Russia. Sashae Afflick, Justice A Brown, Moriah Ford, Darryl G Jenkins, Brittaney Therres, Doria T Wheeler and Dr Monisha Das. Department of Business, Management, and Accounting, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

10:45am OUG2

Comparison Study of Coupled vs Decoupled Aquaponics Systems: An Assessment of Lettuce and Tilapia Crop Quantity and Quality. Kayland Huckaby*, Chris Mullins, Sarah Witiak, Bryan Sayre, Robert White, and Jason Younkin College of Natural and Health Sciences, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA. University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:00am OUG3

Evaluation of the Different Ways President Barack Obama and Senator Ben Cardin Used Aristotle’s rhetorical tools of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos Nyah Christen* Computer Engineering Student. University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

11:15am OUG4

Monitoring the Population Dynamics of Corn Earworm on Hemp Fields in Maryland Eastern Shore. T. A. Tolosa*, S. A. Henry; and S.A. Zebelo. Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, MD 21853

11:30am OUG5

Studying Nicotiana tabacum Plant Regeneration as a Model System for Genetic Engineering Destiny Parker*, Papaiah Sardaru, Carissa Jackson and Sadanand Dhekney. Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne MD 21853

11:45am OUG6 Theory and Experiment of Capillary Dynamics Of Colloidal and 2D Suspensions In Water. Maati McKinney1, Yeganeh Mansourian2*, Jeremy Yodh1, Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan1, Kausik S Das2 1Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 2University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853

Undergraduate

List of Presenters - POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Online Presenters: EASC 1088 Time: 1:00Pm - 2:30pm

https://meet.google.com/kcm-bcxm-tjj

PG9

The Effectiveness of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Preventing and Treating Postpartum Depression Emma Feeney*, PA-S2; Amanda Wrozek*, PA-S2, Khaled Hasan, MD, PhD Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

https://drivegooglecom/file/d/1WkZNHLW3oz3v7sSqyQcCUDONf1pamOxC/view?pli=1

Faculty Presenters Room: EASC ATRIUM Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm

PF 1

Effect of novel N-Aryl Amide Enaminone on T-type Ca+2 Channel Function. Rhashanda Haywood* 1; Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde, PhD1, Miguel Martin-Caraballo, PhD 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PF 2

Exploring Relationships Between Measures of Functional Mobility in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mary Layshock PT, DPT, GCS*; Michelle Sanfilippo PT, DPT, GCS; Julius Fuller; Evan Eibner; Sarah Kovalchick; Abigail Macdonald; Elizabeth Johnson; Mallorie Parsons Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

Graduate Presenters Room: EASC ATRIUM Time: 1:00pm - 2:30pm

PG 1

An Exploration of Bryan Stevenson as the World’s Most Prolific Servant Leader and his Impact on Prison Reform in the US: A Meta-Analysis Rhonda Singletary*, Organizational Leadership Doctoral Program, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 2

An Investigation of the Relationship Between Spiritual Leadership (SL) and Ethical Behaviors (EB) in the Workplace. Jocelyn Martin* and Dr Prince Attoh Department of Organizational Leadership, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853

PG 3

Antibiotic resistance and mecA characterization of Staphylococcus hominis from filarial lymphedema patients in the Ahanta West District, Ghana: A cross-sectional study

Priscilla Kini1*, Samuel Opoku Asiedu2, Dr, Solomon Wireku 3 Dr. Alexander Kwarteng3.

1Department of Natural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853 2Department of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, California 92521. 3Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana 00233

PG 4

Application of Biochar for Soil Remediation and Shelf-Life Extension of Strawberries using Edible Film. Aduteye Erasmus Kabu*, Naveen K Dixit, and Caleb Nindo

*Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 5

Aronia mitchurinii Extracts Encapsulated into Biocompatible Polymers for Antifouling Formulations Based. Keith Bratley*1, Victoria V. Volkis1, Breann V. Green1, Travis Ford1, Joseph Pitula, and William Weaver1, 1Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 6

Assessing Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Peninsula E K Aduteye*, S L Tubene, Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853

PG 7 Biosynthesis of Manzamine Class Alkaloids. Matthew Peter Kusche* and Dr. Madan KharelDepartment of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 8

PG 10

Concussion Examination among Wheelchair Athletes Klima, D1, Dolan, S1*,Grasso, P,1* Htat, N.1*. 1 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Effectiveness of Probiotics in Weight Reduction among Adults with Obesity Alejandria Meadows PA-S2*1; Holly Shaw PA-S2*1; and Khaled Hasan, MD, PhD1. 1Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 11 Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spirituality and Resilience in Health Professional Students. Besen Sanga PharmD Candidate*1, Rebekah Torchon PharmD Candidate1, Miriam Purnell PharmD1, Ranjani Varadarajan, MS, PhD2 1Department of Pharmacy Practice & Administration, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853 2 Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA 22601

PG 12

Evaluating the Effect of Hemp Drying Methods on Cannabidiol (CBD) Content. S.S. Henry1*, Brandon Jackson1, Dr Tigist Tolosa2, Victoria Volkis and Simon Zebelo* University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 1Department of Agriculture, Food and Resources Sciences, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 13

Evaluation of Combination Therapy vs Monotherapy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. Dominique Griffin, PA-S*1; Nicolas Alfonso Baron, PA-S*1; Khaled M. Hasan, MD, PhD1 Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 14

Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management on Yield, Growth, and Development of Amaranth viridis Linn. Grown on the Delmarva Peninsula. Zachary Williams*, Dr. Simon Zebelo, Ms Corrie Cotton Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 15

In the General Population, is Obesity a Risk Factor for Mental Health? Correlating Obesity and Mental Health Amongst the Adolescent, Young Adults, and Elderly Population. Mirley Adolphe, PA-S2; Safura Tanveer, PA-S2; Tayo Adewumi, PA-S2; Khaled M Hasan MD, PhDDepartment of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess ANne, MD 21853

PG 16

PG 17

Is the Timed Up and Go a Reliable Test for Persons with Dementia? Bagaeva, E1*, Cisar, A1*, Cook, A1*, Garner, E1* Klima, D1 1 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Metabolite Footprint-Guided Discovery of Microbial Bioactive Natural Products. Mary Twumasi1*, Dr Jennifer Ossai2, Dr Behnam Khatabi2, Dr Salina Parveen2, and Dr Madan Kharel1

1*Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 2Department of Agriculture and Natural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 18

Myotonic Dystrophy in Physical Therapy: Know It, See It, Recognize It. Holly Bowers*, SPT, Kurtis Rogers, SPT, Nicole Taulton, SPT, Cydney Pennick, SPT, Mary E Layshock, PT, DPT, GCS. University of Maryland Eastern Shore Department of Physical Therapy, Princess Anne, MD 21853

34

PG 19

Occurrence and Pathogenic Potential of Shewanella Species Found in Oysters and Seawater from The Chesapeake And Maryland Coastal Bay. Tahirah Johnson*1, Gary P Richards2, John Jacobs3 , Howard Townsend3, Esam Almuhaideb1, Joan Meredith1, Detbra Rosales1, Paulinus Chigbu1, Ligia Dasilva1, and Salina Parveen1. *1 University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853

2 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Dover, DE 19901

3 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NCCOS, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory, Oxford, MD 21654

35

PG

Patients with rectogenital Chlamydia Trachomatis: Is Doxycycline a better treatment than Azithromycin?. Gian-Aldous Flores, PA-S2; Michael Heilman, PA-S2; Khaled M Hasan MD, PhD Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 21

Precipitation and Temperature Influence Survival and Transfer of Escherichia coli to Fresh Produce in Manure-Amended Certified Organic Soils in Maryland. Annette Kenney*1, Fawzy Hashem1, Alda Pires2, and Patricia Millner3 1Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853. 2Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616 3US

Department of Agriculture–ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705

PG 22

Presence of Foodborne Pathogens in Pre- and Post-Harvest Integrated Crop-Livestock Farm Environments and Fresh Produce on the Eastern Shore of Maryland B Goodwyn*1, A. Punchihewage Don1, M. Schwarz1, P. Millner2, J. Meredith1, F. Hashem1, D Biswas3, C Kim4, S Parveen1 1Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853 2USDA-ARSEnvironmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705

3Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, and Center for Food Safety and Security Systems, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. 4Agricultural Research Station, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806

PG 23

Salmonella Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Organic and Non-organic Chickens on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, USA. Anuradha Punchihewage-Don*1, Dr Jurgen Schwarz1, Abdirahman Diria1, John Bowers2 and Dr Salina Parveen1

1Department of Agriculture, Food & Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA 2US Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, 20740

PG 24

Staying ALERT About Osteoporosis: The Development and Appraisal of an Infographic by Students and Physical Therapists. Samantha Abernethy*, Alexander Neal*, Dr Cindy H Gill Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 25

The Ability of Entry-Level Physical Therapists to Utilize Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging: A Reliability Study, Patrick Engle*, Jaye Newby*, Caroline Wagner*, Dr Cindy H Gill Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 26

The Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Arterial Stiffness and Cognitive Function in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study. Brandon M. Alina1*, Ashley M. Foltz1*, Madi A. Oberbreckling1*, Erin A Smith1*, Jabari J Wilbon1*, Veronica M Yevsukov1*, and Thomas K. Pellinger1, PhD, ACSM CEP & EP-C; NSCA CSCS, 1*Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 27

The Effects of Nutritionally Enhanced Corn Dried, Distillers Grains with Solubles Prepared by Alkali Hydrolysis as an Antimicrobial Alternatives on Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Broilers. E. Noh1*, W K Kim2, A K Singh2, B R Min1 1Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 2Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

PG 28

The Effects of Thermo-Cooling during Competitive Rugby Performance on Wheelchair Athlete Players with Spinal Cord Injury Gammons, A1, Snyder, S1, Klima, D1 1 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PG 29

The Intersectionality of Environmental Conflict and Disability in Maryland, Other States, and Abroad Abstract. Jake M. Goodman*1. *1Department of Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, 21801

The Pharmacist-Provided Telehealth Services and Outcomes: A Scoping Review

PG 30

*Brittney Henry, PharmD candidate1 and Hoai-An Truong, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA, FNAP2 1,2School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PUG 1

Evaluating the Effects of Methyl benzoate and its Derivatives on Spotted Wing Drosophila Kimberly Okpah1*, Tigist Tolosa1, Simon Zebelo1,2, Aijun zhang3.1Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 2Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 3Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center-West, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA

PUG 2

Examining Homelessness in the United States and associated factors contributing to the marginalization of those without shelter, including families, the chronically unhoused and military veterans Kenesha Dieshields*1 and Billie Brocato1

1Department of Social Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

PUG 3 Phytochemical Development over the Ripening Process of aronia mitschurinii, sambucus nigra, morus alba and lonicera caerulea. *Ezra Cable1, Breann Green, Deborah G Sauder1, Andrew G Ristvey2*, Victoria Volkis1* 1Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 2 University of Maryland Extension, Wye Research & Education Center, PO Box 169, Queenstown, MD 21658

4 Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites from Canadian Geese (Branta canadensis) on UMES Campus .

PUG 5 The Miseducation of Pit Bulls in America Kaleigh Powell*¹ and Billie Brocato¹

of Social Sciences,

Extracts of Algae as Active Ingredients for Natural Antifouling Protection

Dr. Travis Ford, Dr Williams Weaver, Dr Joseph Pitula, and Dr Victoria V Volkis

Department

of Natural Science, University of Maryland

Eastern

Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Biofouling is the accumulation of marine organisms and their polymerized metabolites on submerged surfaces. It causes many economic and environmental problems, such as additional drag and environmental degradation in marine habitats, increase of fuel consumption, significant economic loss to commercial or military vessels, as well as environmental damage to marine environments when bacteria in biofilm are transported by the ship to non-native regions Such introductions can trigger harmful blooms or detrimental competition with native species With traditional antifouling biocides such as Tributyltin (TBT) being highly toxic and subsequently banned by the U S and other countries, there is a need for environmentally friendly and non-toxic antifouling solutions Our approach is to use extracts of antioxidants, terpenes, and essential oils from natural and renewable sources, encapsulate it into biocompatible polymers and create protection films Here we present results for extracts of some common algae by antioxidants, terpenes and essential oils Antioxidants work as scavengers of free radicals, that catalyze polymerization of metabolites to form initial sticky film, whereas essential oils and terpenes are known for their antibacterial properties, preventing bacteria from forming metabolites on the surface Full phytochemical screening of extracts from some common algae, GCMS analysis, quantification of antioxidant, encapsulation into polymers, antifouling tests, post-test surface analysis and comparison with other antifouling formulations is presented.

GrapevineGenomeEditingUsingCRISPR/Cas9forTraitImprovement

Dr.PapaiahSardaru*,

Carissa Jackson and Dr Sadanand Dhekney

Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne MD 21853, USA

Grapevine genetic improvement using conventional breeding techniques has limited application for trait improvement because of extreme heterozygosity of the Vitis genome, which results in hybrid cultivars with intermediate fruit and wine quality Grapevine precision breeding and genome editing involves the utilization and modification of genetic sequences found solely in the Vitis genome and accelerates the outcomes of conventional breeding in trait improvement In the current study, a grapevine phytoene desaturase 1 (PDS 1) gene was targeted using CRISPR/Cas-9 mediated genome editing Embryogenic cultures from Vitis vinifera ‘Thompson Seedless’, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Superior Seedless’ were initiated from in vitro micropropagation cultures or unopened floral explants. Following co-cultivation with Agrobacterium harboring the CRISPR/Cas9 construct targeting the PDS1 gene and subsequent culture, edited mutant lines were identified on the basis of their bleached appearance and malformed leaves and stems. PCR and DNA sequencing was carried out to calculate the editing efficiency and was expressed as the total number of lines generated versus the number exhibiting mutations at the PDS1 gene. Among the various lines recovered and tested, greater than 80% of mutant lines exhibited large scale deletions and insertions at the PDS1 alleles. This included random nucleotide substitutions and deletion of nucleotides ranging from 5-15 bp and these mutations were positively correlated with the plant phenotype. The observations indicate that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing could precisely generate biallelic mutants and could be potentially used to target traits of commercial importance for rapid genetic improvement. We are currently using genome editing to target genes involved in disease resistance and quality improvement such as novel berry colors and decreased browning Genome editing can thus be successfully utilized for rapid improvement of commercial grapevine cultivars while bypassing limitations imposed by conventional breeding techniques

GrapevineTraitImprovementUsingPrecisionBreedingandGenomeEditing Dr.SadanandDhekney*,Dr.PapaiahSardaru,CarissaJackson,JuliaanaFittsandCherieWood

Grape is the most valuable fruit crop in the United States due to its ability to be converted into wine and other products, in addition to be being consumed fresh Genetic improvement of grapevine using conventional breeding techniques is difficult due to the heterozygous nature of the grape genome, long juvenile period, and complex genetic control of enological traits Precision breeding is defined as an approach to plant genetic improvement that transfers only specific traits among sexually compatible relatives via the relativelystablemitoticcelldivisionpathwayinordertoavoidthesignificantgeneticdisruptionimposeduponconventionalbreedingby meiosis. Genome editing involves the precise targeting of specific genes in the Vitis genome to induce trait improvement while still maintaining the existing enological and viticultural characteristics of commercial cultivars. Recent advances in Vitis genome sequencing combined with optimization of grapevine regeneration protocols and gene insertion techniques have enabled the successful implementation of precision breeding and genome technology. A number of constitutive and tissue-specific promoters, reporter and selectionmarkergenes,andbordersequencesrequiredforthedevelopmentofgrape-derivedgeneticconstructshavebeenidentified and successfully tested This information has been applied for optimizing CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing technologies to target specific traits in the Vitis genome We are currently utilizing precision breeding and genome editing for improving resistance to grapevine powdery mildew and improving quality traits such as novel berry colors and decreased fruit browning The development of such systems can overcome limitations encountered in conventional breeding and enable rapid improvement of existing grapevine cultivarsforabiotic/bioticstresstoleranceandqualitativetraits

Knowledge,Attitude,andPerceptionsofSubstanceUseDisordersAmongHealthcareProfessions

KhaledM.Hasan,MD,MS,PhD*

1Associate professor, Physician Assistant Department, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of student pharmacists toward substance use disorders Student pharmacists were surveyed through Google Form, and the responses were analyzed using Excel 2016 and StatView 5.0. Enrolled student pharmacists who participated in this study were from three different academic years, and their participation was voluntary and anonymous Approximately 60% of pharmacy students identified the age group of 18-25 as the highest risk of developing opioid addiction. Similarly, about 50% of these students noted that marijuana use is most prevalent among individuals aged 13-19 While all surveyed students acknowledged that most opioids are addictive, only 63% believed the same to be true for marijuana Although the students acknowledged the use of opioids in treating cancer, only 45% of them believed that marijuana increases the risk of cancer This study demonstrated different levels of knowledge, attitudes, and perception toward substance use and misuse among student pharmacists Therefore, pharmacy schools need to consider indepth coverage of substance use disorders in several courses of their curriculum from the molecular effects to the clinical aspects and management

OF5 OvercomingCOVID-19VaccineHesitancyUsingUnderservedHighSchoolStudentsasAmbassadors

Dr.YenDang1*, Dr Adel Karara2, Dr Anjan Nan2

1Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Studies show that educating children can influence the attitudes of their community as a method to overcome vaccine hesitancy The program’s objective is to develop a pharmacy-led curriculum comprised of evidence-based practices on overcoming SARS-CoV-2 vaccine hesitancy among Somerset County high school students. An interdisciplinary team implemented an interactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine curriculum for underrepresented high school students based on the WHO SAGE Vaccine Hesitancy Matrix Afterwards, these students helped design two student-hosted videos featuring different topics to improve vaccine confidence Students also applied the principles learned at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic The McNemar test was used to evaluate survey changes among matched respondents with an alpha of 005 Forty-five high school students participated in the 4-month program and significantly more students agreed in post-tests that “I have adequate knowledge about SARS-CoV-2 disease” (p = 00412), and “I have adequate knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine” (p = 00094) Overall, 85% of students agreed that the program was well organized; 82% would recommend the program to others Twenty-nine students (74%) agreed that “I have talked to my family about information I learned during the program”, and 20 students (51%) agreed that “I am comfortable serving as a vaccine ambassador where I can promote the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine” This program is innovative by combining the expertise of pharmacists with influential community leaders to educate students from a medically underserved population Ultimately, this program allowed for students to become vaccine champions and serve as SARS-CoV-2 vaccines ambassadors to empower their community to get vaccinated

Oral Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

AnInter-MediatingInternshipProject HarryGodwin*

1* University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

This project is an Inter- mediating internship project incorporated into the computer science departmental master’s project It encompasses the functions done as a web developer for the School of Graduate Studies here at the University of Maryland Eastern (UMES) Although the departmental website associated with the Graduate office is at a standard level, this project is to enhance the functioning feature of the webpages Illustrations of these features are explained in the User Interface section of the paper. In addition, to accomplish these features, the following will be considered during the development process: accessibility, compatibility, navigability, readability, and usability

ComputerizedDiseaseDiagnosisWithTheClinicalGuidelinesHealthcareSystem

RupoJebetLagat*

DepartmentofcomputerscienceandEngineering,UniversityofMaryland,EasternShore,PrincessAnne,MD21853

Medical data mining has successfully converted raw data into useful information This data assists medical professionals in better diagnosing and treating diseases This paper examines data mining applications that were only used on an opensource diabetes dataset, which source is data.world. According to International Diabetes Federation (IDF), about 1.1 million children and adolescents (0-19 years) suffered diabetes type 1 worldwide as of 2019, and more than 132,000 children and adolescentstestedwithtype1diabeteseachyear Diabetesisdiagnosedorpredictedusingdataminingtechniquessuchas association, classification, clustering, and pattern recognition This paper presents a classification model using the Decision Tree algorithm with an accuracy of 9843%, compared to Random Forest with an accuracy of 9842%, Logistic Regression accuracy of 84.33%, and Linear Regression accuracy of 17.18%. The classification accuracies of pre-processed data are compared in this paper The results clearly show that pre-processed data improves classification accuracy To verify the accuracy of the results obtained, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used providing a visual representation of the trade-off between sensitivity and specificity, important in evaluating the performance of a diagnostic test The results obtained in this project demonstrate the potential of using machine learning algorithms to improve the accuracy and efficiencyofdiseasediagnosisinhealthcaresystems

EarlyDrugDiscoveryofNovelSmallMoleculesasPotentialAnti-SeizureAgents

RhashandaHaywood*1; Dr Miguel Martin1; Dr Tracy Bell2; Dr Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde,1

1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853

2Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, with 3 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide living with this disorder In America, 1 in 26 individuals will eventually develop epilepsy in their life Despite the success of several anti-seizure drugs with improved side effect profiles, there are still 30-40% of patients that suffer from uncontrolled seizures Thus, there is an unmet medical need for new therapeutics that lead to full seizure control with reduced side effects for patients Our lab engages in early drug design and discovery of novel small organic molecules as potential anti-seizure analogs, for epilepsy. The objective of our multi-interdisciplinary research team is to design, synthesize and identify enaminone molecules that alter seizure related molecular targets Preliminary studies performed by our research team, led to the discovery of small organic molecule IAA65, a potent T-type voltage-gated calcium channel (T-VGCC) blocker The objective of the work presented is to utilize hit-to-lead optimization studies to build a library of 20 IAA65 derivatives to identify new lead compounds that will inhibit T-VGCCs To validate the biological activity of the enaminone analogs in a battery of preclinical seizure rodent models, studies are conducted at the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program, NIH Molecule RHB77 is currently undergoing investigation in acute rodent seizure models, to determine the efficacy and safety as an anti-seizure agent

OG4

EffectsofBiocharontheGrowthofStrawberry

Erasmus.K.Aduteye*, Dr Naveen K Dixit, and Dr Caleb Nindo

1* Department of Agriculture, Food & Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

The use of biochar in agriculture has gained attention due to its potential to improve soil fertility, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration The impact of biochar on strawberry growth and development was investigated in the present study The experiments were carried out in a greenhouse using a randomized complete block design with four replicates Topsoil for this experiment was collected from the UMES farm and mixed with biochar (Wakefield Kickstart biochar from Biosoild; Wakefield, MO) The treatments included a control (no biochar) and four rates of biochar (3%, 5%, 10%, and 20%

Oral Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

w/w) The strawberry variety ‘Portola’ was planted in the last week of June 2022 in pots Data were collected on growth parameters such as plant height, plant length, plant width, number of flowers, number of runners, and disease symptoms Our data revealed that biochar showed a significant effect on the growth parameters 60 days after transplanting Among the biochar amendment rates, 10% had the greatest influence on the overall growth of strawberries. Even though the 10% biochar amendment rate had the greatest influence on the growth parameters, this research must be repeated to confirm the consistency of the result

OG5

InfluenceofBisphenolAonLeptinReceptorSignalingPathwaysinDopaminergicNeurons IjeomaNgoka*, Sherene Black, Dr. Ali Ishaque and Dr. Ahmen Elnabawi

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD

Genetic, environmental, behavioral, social, and economic factors all have a role in obesity An extensive body of evidence has demonstrated that endocrine regulators such as leptin mainly act on the hypothalamus to regulate food intake and body weight In addition, expression of leptin receptors in other regions of the brain such as the dopaminergic (DA) neurons suggests that leptin signaling can act on other brain regions to mediate the reward value of nutrients Emerging evidence support the hypothesis that environmental contaminant exposure, particularly those occurring in early-life, may interfere with homeostatic control and induce or exacerbate obesity Early life exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical, is known to result in various adverse health effects Several studies have demonstrated that BPA altered the endocrine-metabolic pathways in adipose tissue, increasing the risk of metabolic diseases and obesity The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BPA on leptin signaling pathways in dopaminergic neurons using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells Leptin or BPA were administered to cells in varying concentrations either separately or in combination Cell viability, leptin receptor protein expression, orexigenic agouti-related peptide (AgRP) levels and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) protein expression were assessed Future direction for this study will include further testing into other mechanisms by which BPA exposure influences obesity

“NoShade,NoTea”:RepurposingLanguageUsagePerceptions

EmilyMadison&Dr ShannonKelley

DepartmentofLiteracyStudies,SalisburyUniversity,SalisburyMD21801

Linguistic segregation refers to the exclusionary practices that impact individuals that use marginalized dialects such as Black Language or African American Vernacular English (AAVE) (Baker-Bell, 2020) To explore the growing concern around exclusionary practices associated with African American girls, this pilot project examines how African American adolescent girls leverage language (marginalized dialects) with their peers and adults across multiple contexts (eg, in-school and out-ofschool contexts) in an exploratory case study Two theoretical frameworks situate the project: positioning theory (Davies & Harré, 1990; Green, 2011; Frankel, 2018) and critical discourse analysis (Fairclough, 2013; Gee, 2011) Position theory allows foradeeperexaminationofwhyindividualscommunicateorenactcertainbehaviorsbasedonassignedlabelsorpositionsin multiple contexts At the same time, critical discourse analysis is suitable for interrogating language choices at the utterance levelfromaculturallensbyincorporatingcriticality

The case in the pilot project is bound by and within the “Young Ladies of Excellence” (pseudonym) mentoring group, which provides social, emotional, and instructional support to African American girls ages 12-16 Throughout the study, the girls are taking an Effective Communication workshop to examine and interrogate issues related to exclusionary practices connected to communication through the following: six in-person observations, six individual semi-structured interviews, one culminating semi-structured interview, and document analysis of journal writing from the mentee's workshop participation Bytheproject'send,theresearcherseekstounderstandthevalues,beliefs,andideologiesassociatedwithdiscursivechoices madebyparticipantstoconfirmordisconfirmperceptionsrelatedtoAAVEusageandlinguisticsegregation

Non-ionicSurfactantBasedNanovesicle(Niosome)FormulationsofSmallMoleculeDrugsforUse inEpilepsyTreatment.

ChadCarrig1* and Dr Anjan Nan1

1* School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Epilepsy is the fourth most common global neurological problem after migraine, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease as reported by theWorldHealthOrganization(WHO) Apersonisconsideredepilepticwhentwoormoreunprovokedseizuresoccur Epilepsyis achroniccentralnervoussystem(CNS)disordercategorizedbydisruptedneuronactivityinthebrain,leadingtorecurrentseizures and/orperiodsofstrangebehavior,sensations,andsometimeslossofconsciousness Thebloodbrainbarrierlimitontheentryof exogenous molecules is the largest challenge for delivering therapeutic agents to the CNS Development of novel nanocarriers allowsforthedeliveryofpharmacological therapeuticsofvaryingactivitiesalongwithreducedsideeffectsandimprovedtargeting properties. Niosomes, non-ionic surfactant-based vesicles, have drawn great interest in various biomedical applications, owing to their unique characteristics Niosomes are able to: 1) effectively encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, 2) protect the drugfromrapiddegradationorclearancewhilebeingnon-immunogenic,3)enhancedrugconcentrationin

Oral Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

target tissues, and 4) unique manufacturing properties including high chemical stability, ease of production, formulation versatility, and low cost The aim of this study is to prepare and characterize the physicochemical properties of niosome encapsulated small molecule drug (Phenytoin) Multi-Angle Dynamic Light Scattering (MADLS) was used for particle size and size distribution analysis Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) was used to measure the zeta potential and indicated sample stability and/or propensity to aggregate Synthesized niosomes were found to have a monodisperse population at 200 nm with positive/negative zeta potential depending upon formulation

Optimizing Substrates for Vegetative Propagation of Cannabis Sativa L.

William Burks*,

Dr

. Michael Foland

and Dr

Sadanand Dhekney

Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne MD 21853, USA

The legalization of industrial hemp under the 2014 and 2018 US farm bills has led to a rapid increase in hemp production in the United States Industrial hemp propagation for cannabinoid production is achieved using softwood cuttings and feminized seed. The use of clonal material derived through vegetative propagation ensures the exclusive cultivation of female plants resulting in high biomass yield and cannabinoid quality In the current study, 3 substrates were evaluated to identify those which would produce vigorous and healthy clonal propagation material Cannabis savtiva L ‘Cherry Soda’ and ‘Purple’ stock plants that were derived through micropropagation were used in the current study. Actively growing shoots from plants were cut into 4-6-inch cuttings, dipped in a rooting hormone and transferred to either potting mix, Oasis™ cubes or an aeroponic system for rooting Cuttings under all three treatments were maintained under a 16 h light photoperiod, covered with transparent plastic domes and routinely sprayed with distilled water to maintain high humidity After 3 weeks, the number of roots produced in each substrate was recorded to obtain the rooting percentage Additionally, clone quality was estimated by recording the number of rooted plants exhibiting interveinal chlorosis in the three treatments Among the various substrates tested, the maximum rooting percentage was observed in ‘Purple’ cuttings under the aeroponics system (95%) followed by ‘Cherry Soda’ in Oasis™ (90%) The rooting percentage in the potting mix substrate ranged from 80-84% for the two cultivars In contrast, the best clone quality as indicated by the lowest percentage of interveinal chlorosis (0%) was observed in the potting mix, followed by the Oasis™ (30-40%), while the highest level was observed in the aeroponics system (70-80%) We are currently studying plant performance after transfer to potting mix, to identify the best substrate for producing healthy clones The optimization of propagation techniques will enable growers produce healthy and vigorous clonal material for maximum biomass and cannabinoid yields, and boost expansion of the hemp industry in the United States

Optimizing Techniques For Feminized Seed Production in Cannabis Sativa L. Antonio Junior*, Michael Foland and Sadanand Dhekney

Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Medicinal and recreational uses of Cannabis sativa-derived cannabinoids such as Cannabidiol and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol have increased in recent years Cannabinoid production involves the exclusive cultivation of female plants due to the high level of secondary metabolites occurring in their inflorescences Cannabis is a dioecious plant species and seedlingderived plant populations exhibit segregation for male and female plants The production of predominantly female plants through sexual production can be achieved using seed feminization. Seed feminization involves treating female plants with silver thiosulfate (STS), which causes plants to produce both male and female flowers Following self-pollination and fertilization, seeds and seedlings are predominantly female thereby ensuring high yield and quality of cannabinoids In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of 3 STS concentrations to identify the optimum dose for efficient seed feminization Female plants of C sativa ‘Bliss’ were obtained by clonal propagation and maintained under a long day photoperiod of 16:8 light/dark ratio for 3 weeks Plants were then thoroughly sprayed with either a 2 0, 4 0- or 6 0-mM STS solution and maintained under the same photoperiod for an additional week The control plants were sprayed with distilled water Plants were then transferred to short photoperiod of 8:16 light/dark ratio to induce the production of male flowers The degree of masculinization was recorded by counting the number of male flowers at each node Following self-pollination and fertilization, seed set was recorded, and the number of seeds collected in each treatment was recorded. Among the various STS treatments studied, the highest degree of masculinization was observed in 6 0 mM STS (90 4%), followed by 4 0 mM (72 5%), and 2 0 mM (61%) while the control plants did not produce any male flowers or seed The number of seeds produced was higher in 2 0- mM STS with an average of 33 seeds per plant compared to 4 0 mM (32) and 6 0 mM (8) Similarly, a higher seed germination rate was observed from plants sprayed with 2 0-mM STS (68 33%) compared to 4 0 mM (58%), and 6 0 mM (54%) These findings suggest that 2 0 mM STS is the optimum concentration for production of viable seeds We are currently growing the F1 generation of seedlings to determine plant sex Optimizing the STS concentration for seed feminization will enable largescale production of female plants through sexual production for cannabinoid hemp cultivation

Oral Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

TheEffectsofCultivarsonPhytochemicalContentsandAntioxidantCapacitiesinFlowersandKiefof IndustrialHemp(CannabissativaL.)GrownontheEasternShoreofMaryland.

E.Noh*, S Dhekney, and B R Min Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Industrial hemp, legally defined as Cannabis sativa L with total Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations of less than 0 3% on a dry weight basis, has gained attention for its nutritional and medicinal values since its legalization in the U S The health benefits of industrial hemp are primarily associated with its phytochemicals, especially cannabinoids The composition and levels of phytochemicals in plants can be affected by genetic factors The objective of this study was to determine the effects of cultivars on phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacities in the flower and kief of industrial hemp grown on the Eastern Shore of Maryland Flowers were collected from 4 cultivars (The wife (TW), Bubba Kush (BK), C4, and Cherry wine (CW)) and kief was collected from 3 cultivars (BK, C4, and CW) Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacities were determined, and identification and quantification of cannabinoids were conducted using HPLC Six cannabinoids were detected The highest was Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), followed by CBD, Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA-A), Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), Cannabichromene (CBC), and THC, regardless of the cultivars The phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacities in the kief of industrial hemp were significantly higher than those in flowers (P<0 05) CW had the highest total cannabinoid concentrations, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant capacities in both flowers and kief These results suggested that CW could be the better source of cannabinoids for this region and efforts are needed to identify and/or develop cultivars that are suitable for local conditions with high CBD and low THC

The Pleasure Reading Habits of American Adults: A Systematic Literature Review

Faith Thompson*, Dr Judith Franzak, Dr Heather Porter Department of Literacy Studies, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland 21801

Recent reports by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) indicate that adults are not reading in their leisure time as much as they used to This is a concern because leisure reading has been linked to many benefits, such as a higher likelihood to vote and engage in civic activities But is reading really “at risk,” or has the nature of literacy changed in our ever-shifting world? Seeking to explore that question, over 30 articles were reviewed in this systematic literature review We ask What does the research say about adult leisure reading? This literature review elucidates gaps in the knowledge base around leisure reading and offers directions for future research Notable findings include the increase of nonfiction reading and digital reading formats The NEA and other institutions restrict definitions of leisure reading to literary print-based reading These findings, then, suggest a mismatch between actual reading habits of adults and the reading habits measured in reports Further, we complicate leisure reading studies by drawing attention to their preoccupation with volume of reading over experiences of reading and underexploration of the sociocultural identities of readers We argue that national reports do not consider the reading possibilities of today, and, therefore, the situation may not be as dire as previous research suggests Implications of this research include the need for scholarship that draws from diverse populations (i e those traditionally not identified as “readers”) and uses qualitative methods that focus on the experiences of reading

OG12 Where is It All STEMming from: An Exploration of African American Female's Career Aspirations

Jean Goblinger,*

University of Maryland

Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

There is a dire need to increase science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workers in the U S The lack of women and racial minorities represented in these fields has heightened this shortage (Neuhauser & Cook, 2016). Lack of STEM career interest and aspiration is hurting society’s economic culture and growth at a pivotal time where there is an increasing reliance on complex technological and science advances (Holmes et al , 2018) Demand in these fields will only continue to grow exponentially According to PwC (2015), in order to sustain these growing career needs, an 11 7% increase in engineers, a 9% increase in business analysts and programmers, and an 8% increase in natural and physical scientists is required This major decline in STEM disciplines also has international implications, impacting productivity and competitiveness (Office of Chief Scientist, 2013) According to O’Brien et al (2016), societal expectation, influences from peers and parent, as well as threatening STEMS climates result in a lack of minorities pursuing STEM careers Casad et al (2019) defines threatening academic climates as those that encourage prejudice and discrimination, suggesting gender and race are relevant in suitability for education and STEM careers Efforts have been devoted to make policies and develop programs that would encourage STEM persistence among the youth as they prepare for college (Watt, 2008) Strong educational leadership is required to address underlying issues that can impact African American females’ levels of self-efficacy and role model support, which are contributing to their career aspirations

Comparison Study of Coupled vs. Decoupled Aquaponics Systems: An Assessment of Lettuce and Tilapia Crop Quantity and Quality

Kayland Huckaby*, Chris Mullins, Sarah Witiak, Bryan Sayre, Robert White, and Jason Younkin College of Natural and Health Sciences, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Climate change is negatively impacting global agriculture and aquaculture. Extreme weather changes combined with ocean acidification and warming impact communities that depend on agriculture and fisheries for food security and economic stability Aquaponics is one part of a larger solution that can ease these negative effects This study aims to find differences in crop quantity or quality in Oreochromis and Lactuca sativa var capitata grown in coupled and decoupled aquaponic systems To compare these systems, 50 tilapia, and 72 lettuce plants were grown in each system over two 6-week growing periods Daily and weekly water quality checks were performed to track system changes and differences. To evaluate tilapia crop quantity, sample weights were taken at the beginning and end of each growing period Myosin protein denaturation of sampled filet tissue was examined using SDS-PAGE to evaluate tilapia quality Fresh weight, dry weight, stomatal density, and nutrient content were assessed to evaluate the lettuce crop No significant difference was found concerning tilapia crop quantity or quality However, coupled lettuce heads grew up to 55% larger with a 21% lower stomatal density than decoupled lettuce. Coupled lettuce also contained higher nitrogen, potassium, zinc, manganese, and in some cases iron contents than decoupled lettuce These observed differences, believed to be the result of water quality differences, can assist producers in selecting the system that best fits their labor, financial, and spatial capacities This will help them supply environmentally conscious food to vulnerable communities despite global climate changes

Oral Abstracts - Undergraduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

OU1 A Comparative Assessment of Current Geopolitical Risks that the United States faces from China and Russia

Sashae Afflick, Justice A Brown, Moriah Ford, Darryl G Jenkins, Brittaney Therres, Doria T. Wheeler and Dr. Monisha Das Department of Business, Management, and Accounting, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853

In this group assessment by undergraduate students, our study objective is to discuss the types of risks that American companies face while trading and investing in China and Russia The economic and market disruptions brought about by the pandemic and the Ukraine/Russia conflict, has increased the need for risk modeling Companies and banks that have international operations or do business with Russian and Chinese counterparts need to adjust their risk models in real time by analyzing large datasets. Some of these sources will be internal to companies. We do not have access to internal company sources External sources we are using will rely on readily available data We will use a framework of risks and use IMF/ World Bank data to compare the three nations on accepted parameters of governance The indicators cover voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption. We will make suggestions for a way forward that is mutually beneficial to business, markets, and consumers

OU2 Evaluation of the Different Ways President Barack Obama and Senator Ben Cardin Used Aristotle’s

rhetorical tools of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

Nyah Christen* Computer Engineering Student, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Aristotle was a Greek philosopher considerably recognized for his great concepts of how to persuade people

One of the most powerful concepts created by Aristotle is called the three appeals (or rhetorical tools) The three appeals are called Ethos, Pathos, and Logos Ethos refers to a speaker’s ethics and character Aristotle made the notion that if a person were perceived to be credible, and have good character, this would make them more persuasive Pathos refers to appealing to an audience’s emotions; this tool says, ‘agree with me, because I care’ Logos refers to the facts and logic of a discussion With evidence present, it is much easier to persuade your audience National leaders have a great effect on the perspectives of their audience due to their position Effectively utilizing Aristotle's rhetorical tools can affect this nation’s economy greatly, when in the position of a president or senator For this reason, I will be analyzing the rhetorical appeals and audience impact of two speeches- One by former President Barack Obama’ and the other by Senator Ben Cardin

Oral Abstracts - Undergraduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

MonitoringthePopulationDynamicsofCornEarwormonHempFieldsinMarylandEasternShore T.A.Tolosa*, S A Henry; and S A Zebelo

Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, MD 21853

Hemp, Cannabis sativa L , was legalized recently in the U S with <0 3% delta -9-tetrahydrocannabinol content Following its legalization, hemp has grown widely in North America Unfortunately, corn earworm (CEW) Helicoverpa zea emerged as a key insect pest of hemp in the Mid-Atlantic and southeastern U S , and hemp growers face unexpected production challenges and yield loss due to limited pest management options Here, we provided a three years field assessment of CEW-hemp interaction and population dynamics of CEW and recommended a possible timeline for pest management The experiment was conducted to monitor corn earworm on hemp for three consecutive years from July to October in two locations at University of Maryland Eastern Shore The adult CEW population was higher from late July through early September and declined toward the end of September However, the larvae population increased significantly from the end of August until harvest and caused considerable damage to the hemp flowers in both locations The three years population dynamics study of CEW could serve as a guideline to design more time-effective and efficient pest management strategies to tackle CEW and other lepidopteran pests in hemp

Studying Nicotiana Tabacum PlantRegenerationasaModelSystemforGeneticEngineering DestinyParker*, Papaiah Sardaru, Carissa Jackson and Sadanand Dhekney

Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne MD 21853, USA

Nicotiana tabacum (Tobacco) has been widely used as a model plant system for in vitro culture and functional genomics studies Rapid development of shoots and roots is observed under in vitro conditions, and whole plants can be obtained within 6-8 weeks of culture initiation This makes it an attractive system for testing genes for functional genomics analyses In the current study, tobacco plant regeneration was studied to test functionality of various reporter gene systems Leaf tissues of tobacco ‘Samsun’ were obtained from greenhouse-grown plants and excised into small discs for use as explants. The explants were surface-sterilized in a commercial bleach solution and then placed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 4 4 µM BAP and 0 6 µM NAA Cultures were placed under light photoperiod for shoot induction Resulting shoots were transferred to medium containing 0 5 µM NAA for rooting to obtain whole plants The production of meristemoids was observed after 8-10 days on culture medium These structures progressively developed to produce shoots, which elongated in length after 3 weeks on the culture medium Profuse shoot proliferation was observed in all cultures Shoots produced prolific rooting following transfer to MS medium containing NAA We are currently conducting experiments to study expression of the betalain synthase and anthocyanin genes in cultures and plants The use of these reporter genes will assist in the visual identification of transgenic cultures and improve the efficiency of transgenic plant recovery for functional genomics studies

OU5 TheoryandExperimentofCapillaryDynamicsofColloidaland2DSuspensionsInWater

Maati McKinney1, YeganehMansourian2*, Jeremy Yodh1, Lakshminarayanan Mahadevan1, Kausik S Das2

1Harvard University, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

2University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853

Fluid flow through capillaries is ubiquitous in both the natural and the industrial world, and ranges from blood flow through capillaries, water transport in trees, groundwater flow through soil or in underground aquifers, to oil/gas extraction, biomedical applications etc. Understanding the kinetics of fluid flow through a capillary is thus of enormous importance from both fundamental and application points of view We will present a simple experimental method to benchmark the theoretically predicted scaling laws for water rising through a capillary tube Analytical modelling reveals that rise of Newtonian liquids in a capillary tube can be divided into four distinctive regions: 1) inertial regime, where height of the liquid z(t) scales as t2 in very early stage, and then scales as t, followed by 2) viscous regime, where it scales as t1/2, commonly called as Washburn regime, and finally, 3) gravity dominated exponential region Moreover, using this innovative and inexpensive experimental method using videos of the capillary rise captured by a regular cell phone camera and then analyzing the videos using numerical image analysis techniques, we will show how the dynamics of the capillary driven flow for colloidal suspensions, and 2D suspensions such as graphene oxide solution in water deviate from classical Newtonian fluids We will demonstrate that a simple and inexpensive experimental technique can capture intricate dynamical behaviors of fluid flow through capillaries It is possible that in future new type of diagnostic methods can be developed based on this technique to detect changes in blood morphology, thereby detecting potential diseases The Lucas–Washburn equation assumes that fluids are incompressible Newton ones and that capillary channels all have the same radius While Newtonian fluids are assumed to be 1D with consistent viscosity, this study focused on using non-Newtonian fluids such as Graphene Oxide. Graphene Oxide is similar to blood in having particles inside and being soluble in water In this project, the rising pattern of Graphene Oxide was studied to understand how blood would act while rising from the capillary in order to develop a diagnostic device for bloodrelated diseases such as Sickle Cell Disease.

Poster Abstracts - Faculty

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Effect of Novel N-Aryl Amide Enaminone on T-type Ca+2 Channel Function

Rhashanda Haywood*¹; Patrice Jackson-Ayotunde, PhD¹, Miguel Martin-Caraballo, Ph D

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853

N-aryl amide enaminones have been identified as potential anticonvulsants for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy T-type Ca2+ channels are an important target for anti-seizure medications We have developed several di-substituted Naryl amide enaminone analogs and evaluated their ability to target T-type Ca2+ channels In this work, we compared two di-substituted N-aryl amide enaminone analogs with methyl and fluorinated groups. MedChem Designer and ADMET Predictor 10 0 was used to design the N-aryl amide enaminone analogs Whole cell recordings were performed to assess the effects of these analogs on voltage-activated Ca2+ currents in HEK-293 cells constitutively expressing the Cav3 2 channel subunit Statistical analyses consisted of t-test for pairwise comparisons or one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc analysis using Tukey’s honest significant difference test for comparisons between multiple groups Using whole cell voltage-clamp recordings, we compared the effect of dimethylated (RHB-59) and difluoroniated (RHB-56) N-aryl amide enaminones for possible inhibitory effect on T-type Ca2+ channels We evaluated the effect of these analogs on the T-type Ca2+ currents generated by the Cav3.2 channel subunits. The RHB-56 analog evoked a significant inhibition of T-type Ca2+ currents in a concentration-dependent manner The RHB-59 analog had no effect on T-type Ca2+ currents at concentrations of up to 50 µM Further evidence will be provided about the mechanisms of action of RHB-56 on Ttype Ca2+ channels These findings suggest that the fluorinated substitutions have a far more significant blocking effect on T-type Ca2+ channels than the fully methylated enaminones

Exploring Relationships Between Measures of Functional Mobility in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Mary Layshock PT, DPT, GCS*1; Michelle Sanfilippo PT, DPT, GCS; Julius Fuller; Evan Eibner; Sarah Kovalchick; Abigail Macdonald; Elizabeth Johnson; Mallorie Parsons 1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is progressive and fatal neurological disease It causes a decline in functional mobility as the disease progresses In persons with ALS (pALS), functional decline can be analyzed via objective measures including gait velocity (GV) and via subjective, self-reported measures such as the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and its subscales The Gross Motor Subscale (GMS) reflects pALS’s self-reported function during 3 activities significant in physical therapy: ‘Turning in bed’, ‘Walking’, and ‘Climbing stairs’ The purpose of this study was to describe the validity of the ALSFRS-R and given subcomponents, to determine the association between objective (GV) and subjective (GMS) measures in pALS, and to assess the association between GV and three timebased categories: Months since 1st signs/symptoms, Months since diagnosis, and Months since 1st visit to a multidisciplinary ALS clinic Given ALS’s progressive nature, many pALS have limited functional energy; this limits their ability to perform standard objective measures such as GV The ALSFRS-R and its components are self-report measures requiring little functional energy They are useful tools to help guide clinical decision making through the progression of ALS Internal consistency was demonstrated through significant positive correlations between the ALSFRS-R, its GMS, and all three GMS components We found a strong and significant association between GV and GMS GV’s correlation with the 3 time- based components was weak to very weak Utilizing subscales specific to the desired function, such as physical therapists selecting the GMS, allows health care providers to compare patients with similar functional deficits The GMS is a clinically underutilized measure that highlights tangible changes in function, requires low energy expenditure from pALS, and is useful in clinical decision making.

An Exploration of Bryan Stevenson as the World’s Most Prolific Servant Leader and his Impact on Prison Reform in the US: A Meta-Analysis

Rhonda Singletary*,

Organizational Leadership Doctoral Program, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Coined by Robert Greenleaf in 1970, servant leadership means serving first (Greenleaf, 1970) According to Parris and Peachey (2012), servant leadership theory’s emphasis on service to others makes it a valuable theory for the 21st century The United States has one of the highest prison populations in the world, disproportionately impacting poor people and people of color (Ng, 2022) Bryan Stevenson is an American lawyer who has devoted his career to serving the poor, condemned, and incarcerated (Toobin, 2016) The purpose of this meta-analysis was to identify evidence-based empirical literature to answer the following research questions: Research Question 1: Is Bryan Stevenson the most effective prison advocate? Research Question 2: Is Bryan Stevenson the most compelling servant leader of the 21st century? The results of the meta-analysis indicated that Stevenson is the most effective prison advocate Stevenson has won exonerations of 135 innocent death row prisoners (Equal Justice, 2023) In 2012, Stevenson argued before the US Supreme Court, resulting in a ban on mandatory life-without-parole for children (Segura, 2012) Greenleaf’s test of servant leadership is the effects on the least privileged in society (Greenleaf, 1970) In 2009, Stevenson was awarded the International Justice Prize for “tireless advocacy of human rights for individuals belonging to oppressed groups” (NYV Law, 2009)

AnInvestigationoftheRelationshipBetweenSpiritualLeadership(SL)andEthicalBehaviors(EB)in

theWorkplace,

JocelynMartin* and Dr Prince Attoh

Department of Organizational Leadership, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853

The delicate process of leadership can both create and destroy the foundations for success within an organization (Bass, 2008) Researchers and practitioners have established empirical evidence which suggests that transforming the behaviors within an organization begins with the behaviors, attitudes, and vision of the leader(s) as driven by their values Consequently, researchers have sought a holistic approach to leadership that incorporates ethical actions, attitudes, and vision (Northouse, 2022) Spiritual leaders intrinsically motivate their followers to achieve a shared goal/ vision by combining strategies rooted in altruistic love and hope/ faith to impact their followers' hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits (Fry, 2003). Studies on spiritual leadership (SL) have explored its effects on desired organizational outcomes (organizational commitment, organizational citizenship behavior, and employee job satisfaction) Researchers have yielded mixed results about the direct impact of spiritual leadership on organizational citizenship behavior (Chen and Yang, 2011) and organizational commitment (Astakoni, Sapta, Rustiarini, & Kusuma, 2021) However, examining mediators, ranging from quality of work life to ethical climate/ behaviors appears to have increased the impact of spiritual leadership on desired organizational outcomes (Göçen and Şen, 2021; Pio and Pio and Lenkong, 2021) Ethical behaviors are the actions taken because of morals and values which maintain an individual's sense of good and evil, right or wrong, and just or unjust (Pio et al , 2020) Such moral guidelines dictate individuals' choices, unblurring the lines of what the individual can and should do To clarify the relationship between SL and EB, a meta-analysis was conducted guided by the following research questions: What is the influence of spiritual leadership on ethical behavior? Should spiritual leadership be implemented in the workplace Thus, this study aims to analyze and conduct an extensive review of quantitative studies exploring SL and EB, to determine whether there is a direct relationship between spiritual leadership and ethical behavior in the workplace.

PG3

AntibioticresistanceandmecAcharacterizationofStaphylococcushominisfromfilarial lymphedemapatientsintheAhantaWestDistrict,Ghana:Across-sectionalstudy

PriscillaKini1*, Samuel Opoku Asiedu2, Dr, Solomon Wireku 3 Dr Alexander Kwarteng3

1Department of Natural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland 21853

2Department of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, California 92521

3Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana 00233

Filarial infections affect over 150 million people in the tropics One of the major forms of filarial pathologies is lymphedema; a condition where the immune response is significantly altered, resulting in changes in the normal flora. Staphylococcus hominis, a human skin commensal, can also be pathogenic in immunocompromised individuals Therefore, there is the possibility that S hominins could assume a different behavior in filarial lymphedema patients To this end, we investigated the levels of antibiotic resistance and the extent of mecA gene carriage in S Hominis among individuals presenting with filarial lymphedema in rural Ghana We recruited 160 individuals with stages I–VII lymphedema, in a cross‐sectional study in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region of Ghana. Swabs from lymphedematous limb ulcers, pus, and cutaneous surfaces were cultured using standard culture‐based techniques The culture isolates were subjected to Matrix‐Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry for bacterial identification Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby–Bauer method mecA genes were targeted by polymerase chain reaction for strains that were cefoxitin resistant In all, 112 S hominis were isolated The AST results showed resistance to chloramphenicol (87 5%), tetracycline (83 3%) penicillin

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

(79 2%), and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (45 8%) Of the 112 strains of S hominis, 51 (45 5%) were resistant to cefoxitin, and 37 (72 5%) of the cefoxitin‐resistant S hominis harbored the mecA gene This study indicates a heightened level of methicillin‐resistant S hominis isolated among filarial lymphedema patients As a result, opportunistic infections S hominis among the already burdened filarial lymphedema patients in rural Ghana may have reduced treatment success with antibiotics

Application of Biochar for Soil Remediation and Shelf-Life Extension of Strawberries using Edible Film. Aduteye Erasmus Kabu*, Naveen K Dixit, and Caleb Nindo

*Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Agricultural soils typically contain trace amounts of heavy metals, however, because of their toxic nature and cumulative behavior, they have the potential to negatively impact crops and human health Vegetables are exposed to heavy metals in many countries and regions through various means and eating heavy metal-contaminated vegetables can have negative health consequences Biochar has the potential to be developed into a workable technology and improve contaminated soils The addition of biochar to agricultural soil has emerged as a viable strategy for lessening soil contamination and speeding up soil remediation, increasing crop productivity and soil fertility by increasing net soil surface area, which improves soil water retention and soil aeration Although consumers prefer fresh fruits and vegetables free from any contaminants, food quality, and safety are now a global concern This research aims to investigate the use of biochar as a soil amendment for strawberry production and the development of an edible coating to preserve the shelf life of strawberries Strawberries have a very short shelf life and senescent period due to their high degree of perishability and infection caused by several pathogens that can rapidly reduce the fruit quality Edible films and coatings have a promising possibility for extending shelf life and controlling the quality of tropical fruits, berries, and other fruits and vegetables by reducing weight loss, preventing color changes, texture, moisture, and controlling the respiration rate

Aronia mitchurinii Extracts Encapsulated into Biocompatible Polymers for Antifouling Formulations Bases

Keith Bratley*1, Victoria V Volkis1, Breann V Green1, Travis Ford1, Joseph Pitula, and William Weaver1, 1Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Biofouling is the adhesion and accumulation of bacteria and other marine microorganisms and their polymerized metabolites on a submerged surfaces like ships, buoys, and platforms Biofouling presents major problems for the shipping industry and contributes to ecological changes by introducing invasive foreign species Attempts to prevent biofouling have centuries of history, particularly those that employ specialized coatings to defend against biofilm formation These coatings however, result in a negative impact on marine ecosystems Tributyltin (TBT) and other biocides in antifouling paints are currently banned in many countries including the US, due to their high toxicity. Our plan is to develop formulations for antifouling coatings that are non-toxic and utilize organic renewable super-fruits, medicinal herbs, and non-biofilm forming algae For antifouling compounds, their acute toxicity to larvae of a model macro-foulers, chronic toxicity, and degradation kinetics in the marine ecosystem will be investigated Here we will present antifouling formulations created with extracts of Aronia mitchurinii super fruit Phytochemical characterization, preparation of coatings, antifouling tests, post-test surface analysis, along with toxicity will be discussed

PG6

E.

Assessing Farmers’ Perception of Climate Change and the Potential for Adaptation in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Peninsula.

S. L. Tubene, Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853.

Agriculture and food security are predicted to be impacted by global warming causing food prices to increase as well as a reduction in food production The farm sector contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the perception of farmers on climate change is extremely important Studies on farmers' perception of climate change have been conducted in the United States, however, little has been done in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (Delmarva) Peninsula to address farmers’ understanding of climate change and potential adaptation strategies The objective of this study was to assess Delmarva farmers’ perceptions of climate change and document appropriate and effective climate change adaptation strategies used by Delmarva farmers A questionnaire was designed and used to collect data from the respondents The result was analyzed and presented in tables and frequencies More than half of the respondents believe climate change is occurring Factors influencing farmers' perceptions of climate change were analyzed using a binary logit model From the binary logit model,

K. Aduteye,

Poster Abstracts - Graduate (Titles

in Alphabetical Order)

observation of changes in climate over the past 5 -10 years, age, level of education, and farmers who accepted adaptation strategies due to climate change positively influenced their perception of climate change while the size of farm and farmers who believe agriculture activities contribute to climate change have no significant influence on farmers' perception of climate change The result showed that an increase in temperature, uneven rainfall distribution, and a high incidence of pests and diseases are the major threats to agriculture in the Delmarva Peninsula Adaptation strategies currently used by Delmarva farmers include avoiding planting in the flooded areas of the farm, growing selective crops, practicing soil conservation techniques, and buying crop insurance

Biosynthesis of Manzamine Class Alkaloids

Matthew Peter Kusche* and Dr. Madan Kharel

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Manzamines represent structurally complex alkaloids mostly isolated from marine sponges from various locations. Attachment of beta-carboline to a pentacyclic diamine structure formed through the fusion of 5-, 6-, 8- and 13membered rings are the unique structural feature of manzamine A. Structural alterations of pentacyclic rings are found in other manzamine derivatives. Given the broad range of biological activities of manzamines and their unique structural features, little is known concerning how these molecules are biosynthesized in the producer organisms. With an aim to uncover the genetic basis for the production of manzamine A, we completed the whole genome sequence of this alkaloid producer Micromonospora sp M.42. A thorough bioinformatic analysis of genome sequence and review of literature cumulatively resulted in the development of a hypothetical pathway for the biosynthesis of manzamine A. We here present the snapshot of the whole genome of Micromonospora sp M.42, secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters identified through comparative genomic analysis and a biosynthetic model for the production of manzamine A. Validation of biosynthetic pathway through characterization of biosynthetic enzymes is currently underway.

Concussion Examination among Wheelchair Athletes

Klima, D1, Dolan, S1*,Grasso, P,1*Htat, N.1*

1 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Concussion is a national cause of injury among athletes in many sports The purpose of this exploratory narrative review was to analyze the availability and clinometric support for outcomes measures used to examine balance and neurocognitive function among wheelchair athletes Participants: 50 collegiate wheelchair athletes pooled from three studies

A comprehensive literature search was conducted (time period 2000-2022) with the following data bases: PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, the Cochrane Library, and the Ovid portal Inclusion criteria mandated that studies examine a clinometric property in balance or neurocognitive tests with wheelchair athletes Studies were labeled using the US Health Policy Scale tiers Following an initial sixteen studies reviewed, three studies were identified for final inclusion, analyzed, and labeled (US Health Care Policy Level 3-Descriptive Studies) The final observational studies identified preliminary clinometric support for two outcomes measures, the Wheelchair Error Scoring System (WESS) and the King Devick (KD) Test. The WESS Test, an adaptation of the Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance for wheelchair athletes, demonstrated test-retest reliability across a seven-day interval ( 65-1) and ICC intertester reliability ( 69- 86) Sample sizes were small (n=21) The King-Devick Test demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC = 826) among wheelchair basketball users, though displayed a learning effect among payers (n=29)

Limited clinometric support exists for tools available to wheelchair athletes that examine balance and neurocognitive function Studies examining these measures have small sample sizes, adverse learning effects, and are limited to players that can perform the testing positions such as wheelies

PG9 EffectivenessofOmega-3FattyAcidsinPreventingandTreatingPostpartumDepression EmmaFeeney,PA-S2*1;AmandaWrozek,PA-S2*1; and Khaled Hasan, MD, PhD1

*1Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Postpartum depression (PPD) is an emotionally debilitating condition affecting 1 in 7 women. Depressive symptoms such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt, thoughts of death or suicide, and fear of harming oneself or the child, typically occur within the first 4 weeks of the postpartum period

Conventional therapy for PPD includes SSRIs, TCAs, and psychosocial therapy Omega-3 fatty acids, which must be obtained from food products, are important for brain development, hormone production, reducing inflammation, and preventing cardiovascular disease

The therapeutic effects of Omega-3 fatty acids were analyzed in the treatment and prevention of women diagnosed with postpartum depression, compared to conventional therapies including antidepressants or placebo

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

A research review was conducted of Cochrane Library & PubMed. Terminology used to locate the studies utilized for analysis include “postpartum depression”, “Omega-3 and postpartum depression”, “postpartum depression”, and “nutraceuticals” Specific articles were chosen based on inclusion and exclusion criteria relevant to the objective Conclusions from the five selected articles were synthesized to form our results

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was found to be effective in reducing mild to moderate depressive symptoms during the postpartum period There was a medium to large effect in improvement of depressive symptoms in women taking Omega-3 fatty acids compared to placebo Therefore, supplementation can effectively reduce depression both during pregnancy and postpartum depression

The general consensus across the selected studies indicates improvement of both prevention and treatment of PPD with increased intake of Omega-3 FAs. Omega-3 fatty acids offer a more natural remedy to treating PPD which may increase patient compliance with treatment, especially if patients are reluctant to try antidepressants However, for levels of severe depression, Omega-3 supplementation should not be used as monotherapy, but in conjunction with other interventions Omega-3 FAs provide a safe alternative that can be recommended to new mothers struggling with mild to moderate postpartum depression

Effectiveness of Probiotics in Weight Reduction among Adults with Obesity

Alejandria Meadows PA-S2*1; Holly Shaw PA-S2*1; and Khaled Hasan, MD, PhD1

*1Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Obesity is known to cause many preventable illnesses ranging from heart disease, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, hormone imbalance, infertility, and much more Our study was aimed to show whether using probiotics alone was useful as a weight loss regimen and what strains of probiotics were more successful in weight loss. The use of probiotics in the treatment of obesity and weight loss without the side effects of medications or even surgery, would be an advantage to patients We analyzed 3 systematic reviews and 3 randomized controlled trials that included 20–65-year-old males and females that were obese using databases that included PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Review The patients were assessed before and after by measuring waist circumference, BMI, waist to hip ratio, body weight, body fat percentage as well as glucose, lipopolysaccharides, total cholesterol, and lipidemia as secondary results Multiple different strains in the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species were used alone or in combination with the other strains of the two probiotics Results showed that probiotics were effective in reduction in weight, waist circumference, BMI, and body fat percentage and showed more reduction with a combination of probiotics Multiple strains also proved to have the effect of reducing LDL-C, total cholesterol, and glucose while increasing HDL-C levels. While probiotics show a promise as a weight loss therapy, additional research needs to be done to show long term effects and healthy diets and exercise should still be encouraged

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Spirituality and Resilience in Health Professional Students

Besen Sanga PharmD Candidate*1, Rebekah Torchon PharmD Candidate1, Miriam Purnell PharmD1, Ranjani Varadarajan, MS, PhD2

*1Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

2Bernard J Dunn School of Pharmacy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA 22601

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented social and economic disruption, leading to exponential increases in stress among individuals, especially healthcare professionals, and students Religion/spirituality has been shown to help people cope with illness, physical health, and response to treatment. This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the religion/spirituality and resilience of health professional students, defined as pharmacy, nurse practitioner, physical therapy, and physician assistant students, by examining these parameters before and during the pandemic

This cross-sectional multi-center study occurred at Shenandoah University (SU) and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) The study compared the religion/spirituality and resilience of graduate health professions students before versus during the COVID-19 pandemic Religion/spirituality and resilience were assessed based on validated standardized numerical scales: Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) DSES is a sixteen-item self-report measure of an individual’s connection with the transcendent in everyday life It includes constructs such as awe, gratitude, mercy, deep inner peace, a sense of awareness related to discernment/inspiration, and compassionate love Possible score ranges were 1-6, with 1 being never or rarely engaging with the transcendent and 6 being engaging with the transcendent many times a day or the individual experiencing a particular spiritual construct. BRS measures a person’s ability to bounce back or recover after a stressful event. Possible ranges for BRS were 1-5, with 1 indicating the individuals strongly disagreed with the statement and 5 indicating they strongly agreed with it Mean BRS scores were calculated for the 6-survey items and are interpreted as: 1 002 99 = low resilience, 3 00 - 4 00 = normal resilience, and 4 31 - 5 00 = high resilience

The DSES data were analyzed using pair-

Poster Abstracts - Graduate (Titles

in Alphabetical Order)

ed sample t-tests, and the BRS data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and non-parametric tests. A total of 107 health professional students from SU and UMES participated in the study; 91 completed responses were analyzed Most students were between 20 and 24 years of age (50 55%) About 83 52% of the survey respondents identified as female, and 16 48% as male Almost 80% of respondents were Caucasian, and 10% were African American In addition, 70% of respondents stated their religious affiliation was Christian, 16% said they were religiously unaffiliated, and the remaining 14% identified as agnostic, atheist, Muslim, or Sikh For the DSES, the mean score for all survey respondents before the pandemic was 3 8, and the mean score during the pandemic was 3 4, indicating a mean score difference of 0 4 with p <0 001 (two-sided) For BRS, the mean score of all respondents before the pandemic was 3 05 and 3 07 during the pandemic, with p=0.525 (two-sided).

Evaluating the Effect of Hemp Drying Methods on Cannabidiol (CBD) Content

S S Henry1*, Brandon Jackson1, Dr Tigist Tolosa2, Victoria Volkis and Simon Zebelo*

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853 1Department of Agriculture, Food and Resources Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L ) is one of the oldest plants cultivated worldwide to produce fiber, fixed oil, and biomass Production has grown from zero acres in 2013 to approximately 310,721 acres presently The regulation stipulates that industrial hemp must contain less than 0 3% THC Farmers experience a significant loss due to improper drying Improper drying can also affect the important bioactive chemical compounds in hemp With the development of technology, alternatives for better drying performance have emerged to improve the efficiency of the hemp industry Cannabinoids (CBD) levels in hemp plants might be as a result of various stressors, such environmental conditions, insect predation, and drying methods Research has shown that, the choice of drying method and parameters can result in harnessing different chemical and biological activity due to different content of chemical compounds in their composition Earlier studies have shown that the selection of the drying method has a major influence on the content of volatile essential oils present in herbs With the development of technology, alternatives for better drying performance have emerged, such as Non-isothermal, microwavevacuum, electrohydrodynamic, radiofrequency, and freeze drying have been identified as potential candidates for industrial drying of cannabis The experiment was conducted using hemp grown at the UMES Demonstration Farm using three varieties of hemp (Mountain Mango, Trump and Cherrywine) using five drying methods (1) freshly cut hemp (control), (2) freeze dry, (3) oven dry, (4) hang dry, and (5) darkroom dry with three replications per treatment. After drying, samples were weighed, submerged in methanol, vortexed, pipetted into vials and placed in a GC-FID machine Results indicated that freeze dry hemp had higher cannabidiol (CBD) and lower tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels It was concluded that Oven dry was the fastest drying method, however, freeze dry was more efficient and more favorable based on the public requirements

Evaluation of Combination Therapy vs Monotherapy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Dominique Griffin, PA-S*1; Nicolas Alfonso Baron, PA-S*1; Khaled M Hasan, MD, PhD1

Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Alzheimer's Disease is a degenerative brain disease and the leading cause of dementia in adults over 65 The FDA has approved two classes of medication: cholinesterase inhibitors and non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists A literature review compared the efficacy of combination therapy and monotherapy in improving mental function

To identify whether combination therapy of Donepezil and Memantine is more effective than monotherapy in improving mental function in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease while considering other variables including acceptability, adverse effects, and cost-effectiveness

The research evaluated 6 peer-reviewed articles that assessed the efficacy of treatments for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease across several domains. The domains included: cognitive function, global assessment, daily activities, neuropsychiatric symptoms, behavioral and psychological symptoms, functional communication, and reduction of caregiver burden The databases used were Cochrane Library and Frederick Douglass Library

Combination therapy of memantine and donepezil was found to be more effective in improving Alzheimer's domains compared to monotherapy or placebo However, it was also reported to have lower acceptability than monotherapy and placebo, with donepezil being the least well-tolerated In terms of cost-effectiveness, the order from most to least expensive was combination therapy, donepezil, and memantine

Combination therapy of donepezil and memantine was found to be effective in improving various domains of Alzheimer's disease. Adverse events, acceptability, and cost of treatment should be considered when prescribing medications for Alzheimer's disease Comparing drug effectiveness can determine the choice of treatment with the greatest impact on the patient

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Evaluation of Integrated Pest Management on Yield, Growth, and Development of Amaranth viridis Linn. Grown on the Delmarva Peninsula

Zachary Williams*, Dr Simon Zebelo, Ms Corrie Cotton

Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Around 1 5 million people live on the Delmarva Peninsula, and as the region's ethnic population increases so does the need to grow desired ethnic crops Amaranth viridis Linn (Amaranth), commonly referred to as Callaloo, is highly nutritious, drought tolerant, and require few inputs to grow However, this crop is susceptible to pest damage, which hinders the crop’s growth, development, and marketable yield Integrated Pest Management (IPM) can be used to construct procedures to identify a successful pest control strategy Preliminary studies 1) investigated the application of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) (T1: Control, T2: Strand 209, T3: Blend 5, T4: Blend 8) on yield, growth, and development of amaranth grown in a growth chamber and greenhouse, 2) evaluated the application of organic insecticides (spinosad and neem oil) on the yield, growth, and development of field-grown amaranth, and 3) evaluated the use of a trap crop (industrial hemp) on the yield, growth, and development of field-grown amaranth. Chlorophyll content, total and marketable yield, and biomass were analyzed weekly. The growth chamber PGPR study showed a significant difference in average fresh weight in T3: Blend 5 when compared to the other treatments. The insecticide study showed no significant difference in total and marketable yield For the trap crop study, total yield and dry weight were significantly higher in weeks 4 and 5, and marketable yield was significantly higher in weeks 4 and 6 in the nonhemp crop field Additional studies are needed to identify which pest control strategy is most effective

In the General Population, is Obesity a Risk Factor for Mental Health?

Correlating Obesity and Mental Health Amongst the Adolescent, Young Adults, and Elderly Populations

Mirley Adolphe, PA-S2*; Safura Tanveer, PA-S2*; Tayo Adewumi, PA-S2*; Khaled M Hasan MD, PhD Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

This study focuses on the correlation between mental illness - specifically anxiety and depression, and obesity and the effects it has on a patient’s life if left untreated As there is limited published research in this area, additional research will be necessary to gain a full understanding of the relationship between obesity and mental health

The objective of this research is to investigate whether there is an association between the obese population and mental health, specifically depression and anxiety, and to what extent The obese population will be placed in various categories, including a full spectrum BMI, curated obesity subtypes, specific age groups, sex, and by ethnicity. Various articles were used as data sources for this study, employing diverse research methods such as surveys and cross-sectional studies. A Korean article published in 2016 compared the mental health of adults across obesity subtypes using a survey Another article examined the relationship between weight loss, mental health, and function in obese older adults using data from the MEASUR-UP trial A cross-sectional study of the Scottish adult population in 2014 provided data on mental health and BMI across all categories Finally, an article conducted cross-sectional surveys in 13 countries to compare obesity and mental health across different demographics, including gender and ethnicity

The obese population showed a positive association with depression, mobility problems, pain/discomfort, stress, selfcare and usual activity problems, and improper sleep duration compared to the normal weight population Baseline depression symptoms predicted lower weight loss, while higher baseline sleep latency and anger predicted less improvement in physical function Also, obesity was associated with a range of mood and anxiety disorders in the US population, with stronger associations in young adults and the elderly Obese women had a higher prevalence of mental health issues than obese men

Obesity is positively associated with mental health problems and decreased quality of life There is a strong correlation between obesity and emotional disorders in obese women. Obesity is also linked to significant increases in lifetime diagnosis of major depression and a 25% increase in the odds of mood and anxiety disorders Therefore, it is important to consider mental health and quality of life in any weight loss intervention or treatment plan for obese individuals of all ages

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Is the Timed Up and Go a Reliable Test for Persons with Dementia?

Bagaeva, E1*, Cisar, A1*, Cook, A1*, Garner, E1*. Klima, D1

1 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Background: Given the prevalence of persons with dementia in all clinical setting, there is a need for reliable measures to appropriately assess physical performance in this population The Timed Up and Go (TUG) instrument is a common clinical test of functional mobility. Little is known about aggregate clinometric support for the test among persons with dementia. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the reliability of the “Timed Up and Go” (TUG) test among persons with dementia. Design: The design of the study was a systematic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted with the following data bases: PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, the Cochrane Library, and the Ovid portal using a two-stage search process An initial search used the terms “reliability” and “Timed Up and Go ” A second search added combinations of the following the key words: “dementia, Alzheimer’s and cognition ”Inclusion criteria mandated that studies analyze a reliability metric for the TUG in persons with dementia Studies were labeled using the US Health Care Policy (USHCP) Scale tiers Results: The final results included eleven studies, with an additional 34 not meeting inclusion criteria All were identified at the USHCP level three tier Test-retest (ICC=0 72-0 99) , and both intrarater and inter-rater reliability (> 95) were generally good to excellent in pooled studies Conclusions: The TUG outcomes measure demonstrates appropriate reliability for persons with dementia Most ICC metrics reflected acceptable reliability coefficients > 90 in clinometric testing and demonstrated measurement stability over time

Metabolite Footprint-Guided Discovery of Microbial Bioactive Natural Products

Mary Twumasi1*, Dr Jennifer Ossai2, Dr Behnam

Dr Salina Parveen2, and Dr Madan Kharel1

1*Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

2Department of Agriculture and Natural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Actinomycetes are prolific bioactive natural product producers Over 80% of the currently used antibiotics are produced by actinomycetes or derived from actinomycetes metabolites In recent years, bio-assay-guided discovery efforts are recently hindered by repeated isolation of known metabolites. In this study, we utilized a combination of unique metabolite signatures and biological activities to identify novel/new bioactive metabolite producer actinomycetes As a pilot study, we have examined soil samples collected from the Harpers-Ferry hiking trail located in the Appalachian mountain Over three dozen actinomycete strains have been isolated, eight of which produced unique/new metabolites based on examination for a match of high-resolution MS data of metabolites using the database AntiBase We herein report Broad spectrum activities displayed by select culture extracts Scale-up fermentation and follow-up isolation work to identify structure and access structural novelty are underway

PG18

Myotonic Dystrophy in Physical Therapy: Know It, See It, Recognize It

Holly Bowers*, SPT, Kurtis Rogers, SPT, Nicole Taulton, SPT, Cydney Pennick, SPT, Mary Layshock, PT, DPT, GCS University of Maryland Eastern Shore Department of Physical Therapy, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Myotonic Dystrophy, known as DM, is a chronic multisystemic genetic condition that has progressive, disabling, and lifethreatening symptoms There are two types of Myotonic Dystrophy, DM1 and DM2; adult-onset DM1 was the focus of this project A Board-approved continuing education course “Myotonic Dystrophy in Physical Therapy: Know It, See It, Recognize It,” was presented in August 2022, to provide actionable information to Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants on evidence-based screening tools, symptom recognition, and resources to help patients with this condition It included a video, which is now available with free, open access This course was created due to the average 7year diagnostic delay and significant gap of appropriate care for these patients due to the lack of knowledge amongst healthcare providers. Ten participants attended the CEU course however, only three participated in our IRB-approved research Due to this small sample size, data was not statistically significant; however, it is important to note that all research participants reported improved awareness, knowledge, and confidence regarding myotonic dystrophy postcourse Future studies would require a larger sample size to obtain statistically significant data to support the increasing confidence of clinicians with recognition of DM1 symptoms Overall, the purpose of our project was to increase awareness of DM1 and to provide appropriate resources for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants regarding DM1

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Occurrence and Pathogenic Potential of Shewanella Species Found in Oysters and Seawater from The Chesapeake And Maryland Coastal Bay

Tahirah Johnson*1, Gary P Richards2, John Jacobs3 , Howard Townsend3, Esam Almuhaideb1, Joan Meredith1, Detbra Rosales1, Paulinus Chigbu1, Ligia Dasilva1, and Salina Parveen1

*1 University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

2 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Dover, DE 19901

3 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOS, NCCOS, Cooperative Oxford Laboratory, Oxford, MD 21664

Shewanella species are flesh-eating and food spoilage bacteria that can be transmitted through contaminated water and seafood Immunocompromised individuals are at greater risk of infection if raw or lightly cooked oysters are consumed, or if cuts in the skin have been exposed to contaminated marine environments Adequate information is not available on the abundances of these bacteria in oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and seawater from the Chesapeake and Maryland Coastal Bays This study evaluated the abundances of Shewanella species in oysters and seawater from the Chesapeake and Maryland Coastal Bays at four sites between 2019 and 2021 Total Shewanella counts were as high as CFU/g in oyster and CFU/mL in water obtained on iron agar plates incubated at 35°C 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on 1,526 representative isolates of which 1,028 (825 oyster, 203 water) were confirmed as Shewanella within 15 different species Testing for alpha and beta hemolysis was performed on sheep’s blood agar for all confirmed Shewanella isolates. Forty-four percent of strains were beta-hemolytic suggesting that these could be potentially pathogenic to humans The top four species isolated from oyster and water samples were 477 S amazonensis, 202 S marisflavi, 113 S lohica, and 87 S algae Beta hemolytic strains were isolated from oysters (41%) more than seawater Correlations were performed between physicochemical attributes of the seawater and Shewanella counts from the four collection sites. A weak correlation was observed between seawater temperature and Shewanella counts in seawater (r = 0 45), while a negative correlation was observed between dissolved oxygen levels in the seawater and Shewanella counts (r = -0 48) There was no correlation between seawater parameters and Shewanella counts in oysters Results from this study suggest that virulent strains of Shewanella may be present in oysters and seawater from the Chesapeake and the Maryland Coastal Bays. This is the first comprehensive study that provides insights into the diversity and pathogenic potential of different Shewanella species recovered from oysters and seawater from two Bays

Patients with Rectogenital Chlamydia Trachomatis: Is Doxycycline a Better Treatment than Azithromycin?

Gian-Aldous Flores, PA-S2*; Michael Heilman, PA-S2*; Khaled M. Hasan MD, PhD.

Department of Physician Assistant, University of Maryland

Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

In 2021, the CDC changed its recommended guideline for treating Chlamydia Trachomatis to a 7-day course of doxycycline 100 mg twice daily For years prior, one dose of Azithromycin 1 g was the recommended treatment An investigation was carried out to examine the superiority of one antibiotic over the other in treating Chlamydia Trachomatis among high-risk patients

To determine which medication is the better treatment for Chlamydia Trachomatis among high-risk patients when considering patient-specific factors such as drug efficacy, side effects, and compliance

The studies considered for this research were all peer-reviewed and subjected to critical appraisal Articles chosen for this research were published between 2015 and 2022 – four randomized controlled trials and one retrospective cohort study One article published in 1999 was included for discussion purposes about patient compliance with Doxycycline therapy against C Trachomatis Participants in the studies include youth 15-24 years of age, sexually active women, and Men who have sex with men (MSM). The independent variable considered in all studies involved the use of Doxycycline 100 mg BID for seven days vs one dose of Azithromycin 1 g, while the dependent variable measured the resolution of infection

Doxycycline demonstrated superior efficacy with the lowest cure rate at 91% (compared to 71% for Azithromycin) Side effects observed in the studies included gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 3 of 4 studies reported higher incidences of GI adverse effects with Azithromycin usage Both compliances with treatment and cost-basis analysis were not discussed in detail in the reviewed studies. However, one study illustrates that Doxycycline demonstrated high therapeutic success rates despite poor compliance

The updated CDC guideline of treating C trachomatis with doxycycline as first-line and azithromycin as an alternative is appropriate with regard to efficacy However, more studies examining patient compliance to a 7-day supply of Doxycycline are needed to determine the significance of completing therapy as prescribed to the drug's effectiveness against C Trachomatis This is essential for clinicians to make informed decisions about which medication (Azithromycin vs. Doxycycline) is best to prescribe to the non-compliant patient.

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Precipitation and Temperature Influence Survival and Transfer of Escherichia coli to Fresh Produce in Manure-Amended Certified Organic Soils in Maryland

Annette Kenney*1, Fawzy Hashem1, Alda Pires2, and Patricia Millner3

1Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853

2Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616

3U S Department of Agriculture–ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705

Manure enhances soil health/crop productivity, but harbors pathogens that may contaminate produce and result in illness Environmental factors (precipitation, drought, temperature) influence pathogen survival Impacts of climatic events on pathogen survival during the 90-120-day National Organic Program (NOP) manure-to-harvest wait-period for fresh produce remains unclear. A randomized complete block inoculated challenge study was conducted on Delmarva NOP-certified plots in 2017-2018 to evaluate precipitation, soil moisture, and raw manure (poultry (PL), horse, dairy (DM)) effects on survival of generic E colirif-R (EC) and subsequent transfer to tomato fruits, radish bulbs, and spinach leaves at 90-120(-180)-days postinoculation Soil/environmental factors were measured relative to E coli populations Results showed all plots, including unamended controls, were 100% positive for EC (mean=5.85 logMPN/g) post-inoculation. Temperature, growing degree-days (GDD), and rainfall during 120-day spinach and radish trials in 2017 and 2018 were distinctive Mean temperature was 8℃ higher in 2018 than in 2017 Total precipitation was significantly (p<0 5) greater during 2018 ( 56cm) than in 2017 ( 26cm) In 2018, GDD=3254 was nearly twice that in 2017, GDD=1954 In 2017 radish soil, EC declined to 0-18% for all treatments by 90 and 120-days, yet all 240 bulbs assayed were EC positive in manured plots In 2018, by 120-day, 8 of 12 radish plots (5 bulbs/PL or DM plot) were EC positive In 2017 and 2018, only 2 of 12 manured plots were EC positive in 90-day tomato soils; by 120-days 30-40% were positive in DM and PL 2017, respectively In 2018, EC declined to 10-20% by 90 and 120-days with no transfer to tomato fruits The EC in soil varied substantially during the 2017 spinach season, with all harvested leaves EC positive This study indicates weather events, manure, and crop type influence EC survival in manured soil and transfer to edible crops Use of wait-time intervals alone without accounting for environmental events in crop fields requires further evaluation to develop robust practices to reduce the likelihood of pathogen contamination of raw fresh produce

Presence of Foodborne Pathogens in Pre- and Post-Harvest Integrated Crop-Livestock Farm Environments and Fresh Produce on the Eastern Shore of Maryland

B. Goodwyn*1, A., Punchihewage Don1, M Schwarz1, P Millner2, J Meredith1, F Hashem1, D Biswas3, C Kim4, S Parveen1

1Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853;

2USDA-ARS-Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705

3Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, and Center for Food Safety and Security Systems, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742

4Agricultural Research Station, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA 23806.

Integrated crop-livestock farm (ICLF) systems, for sustainable, organic food production, are increasingly popular However concerns remain about contamination risks from pathogens associated with on-farm animal reservoirs, their proximity to crop fields, and use of biological soil amendments (BSAs)

This study assessed the bacterial quality of three ICLFs and compared them to similar samples obtained from two croponly farms (COFs) and three farmers-markets (FMs) A total of 990 samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods Composite soil samples were evaluated before and after BSA application, every thirty days, and at produce harvest Animal reservoirs were evaluated every 30 days, while untreated produce was examined at harvest or when available at FMs All samples were analyzed for mesophilic aerobic bacterial (MAB), Escherichia coli (E coli), Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) Presumptive Salmonella and Lm were each confirmed using BAX PCR and PCR (hlyA gene), respectively. Results indicated incorporation of BSAs enhanced ICLF-soil health, but also significantly increased MAB and E coli populations Furthermore, LM and Salmonella were detected in soil samples after BSA application At harvest, COF-soils had significantly (p<0 05) higher MAB populations than ICLF-soils, but 22 4% of ICLF-soils were positive for E coli compared to 8 9% of COF-soils FMs-produce had significantly (p<0 05) less MAB than corresponding ICLF- and COF-produce, but also tested positive for E coli Salmonella was absent on all produce samples, but present in COF-soil (2 2%), ICLF-soil (2 60%), and animal pen (3 85%) samples Lm was detected in ICLF-soils (3 75%), animal-pens (0 96%), and one ICLF-squash and one FM-kale sample Presence of fecal indicator E coli and pathogenic organisms indicates contamination risks in pre- and postharvest ICLF and COF environments and FM produce Further research is needed to evaluate survival/transmission mechanics of foodborne pathogens in ICLF and COF farm and retail environments, and mitigation practices.

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Salmonella Prevalence and Antibiotic Susceptibility in Organic and Non-organic Chickens on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, USA

Anuradha

Punchihewage-Don*1,

Dr

Jurgen Schwarz1, Abdirahman Diria1, John Bowers2

and Dr

Salina Parveen1

1Department of Agriculture, Food & Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853. 2U S Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD, 20740, USA

Salmonella infections related to chicken products have been intensely increasing worldwide and becoming a universal public health crisis This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in organic and non-organic chickens and investigate antimicrobial resistance profiles Whole broiler carcasses organic (n=20) and non-organic (n=20) were obtained monthly for one year (n=480) from a retail store on the Eastern Shore of Maryland Each carcass was mixed with 500 mL of buffered peptone water and incubated at 37 ºC for 24 h. Salmonella isolation and identification were conducted by following the whole carcass enrichment method recommended by USDA-FSIS Two hundred thirteen confirmed Salmonella isolates (organic n=76; non-organic n=137) were serotyped and tested for antibiotic susceptibility using standard methods Forty-nine percent of the carcasses were positive for Salmonella Organic and non-organic positivity rates were 37 1% and 61 7%, respectively There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Salmonella between organic and non-organic chickens (p>0.05). The most common serotypes were Salmonella Kentucky (47%), Infantis (35%), Enteritidis (6%), Typhimurium (5%), and Blockley (4%) Enteritidis was associated only with non-organic chicken while Blockley was recovered only from organic chicken Typhimurium was more prevalent in organic chicken (10 53%) than in non-organic chicken (2 19%) Ninety-one percent and 45 5% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic and multidrug-resistant, respectively Resistance was often observed to tetracycline (82 8%), minocycline (42 3%), nitrofurantoin (40 3%), cefazolin (38 3%), and ampicillin (32 1%) Resistant to ceftriaxone in organic and non-organic chicken was 31 6% and 24 1% All isolates were susceptible to antibiotic classes of fluoroquinolone, carbapenem, and glycylcycline regardless of the type of chicken. The results of this study demonstrate a high prevalence of Salmonella contamination in organic and non-organic chickens and a significant number of these isolates were resistant to commonly used antibiotics

Staying ALERT About Osteoporosis: The Development and Appraisal of an Infographic by Students and Physical Therapists

Samantha Abernethy*, Alexander Neal*, Dr Cindy H Gill Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Increasing awareness of the high incidence of osteoporosis (OP) and failure of the healthcare system to screen, diagnose and treat the disease is of the utmost importance Infographics (InfoG) can play a part in assisting health care providers with the necessary information. The aim was to develop an InfoG to increase the likelihood that physical therapists (PTs) will screen and initiate a proper plan of care for patients with OP. Email recruitment of 87 student PTs (SPTs) and 365 PTs was performed. Each received a survey about their opinions on the InfoG’s aesthetics, content, and benefit Return rates: SPTs 89 7% and PTs 21 4% The groups were combined for items yielding similar results Aesthetics: 95% agreed(A)/strongly agreed (SA) InfoG was appealing; 96% A/SA the acronym was easy to follow and remember Content: 97% felt enough data was provided; 98% felt major risk factors were identified; and 92% felt adequate evaluation information was provided; 72% felt enough referral information was provided, and 46% felt enough treatment information was provided Benefit: 96 2% SPTs and 82 1% PTs reported InfoG would affect their future practice; and 94 8% of SPTs reported willingness to display the InfoG in the future compared to 75 6% of PTs

Majority of SPTs and PTs found the infographic aesthetically pleasing, however, revisions can be made to improve referral and treatment information Further study is needed to determine factors that impact the PTs’ opinions regarding utility of the InfoG

PG25

TheAbilityofEntry-LevelPhysicalTherapiststoUtilizeMusculoskeletalUltrasoundImaging:

AReliabilityStudy

PatrickEngle*,JayeNewby*,CarolineWagner*,Dr CindyH Gill

DepartmentofPhysicalTherapy,UniversityofMarylandEasternShore,PrincessAnne,MD21853

MusculoskeletalUltrasonographyImaging(MSKUSI)hasthepotentialtobethepreferredoridealmodalityforphysicaltherapists to evaluate the integrity and condition of musculoskeletal structures Reliability of three Doctor of Physical Therapy students’ (DPTS) utilizing MSKUSI to measure gluteus minimus tendon thickness (GMTT) was investigated Twelve (5 males, 7 females) subjects volunteered (21-33 years old) The inclusion criteria: lower limbs free of surgery, chronic disease and injury and body composition for optimal visibility DPTS received formal instruction in MSKUS and practiced methodology for 40 hours Subjects’ hips were placed in a standardized position while three long-axis USI were obtained of GMT using the BioSound Esaote myLAB Sigma US unit and LA 4-15 MHz transducer Each DPTS obtained USI bilaterally of GMT at separate times to avoid bias GMTT (mm) measurements were performed later by each DPTS independently. Intra-class correlations (ICCs) were performed to determineinter-andintra-raterreliability ICCsresultswerethefollowing:significantIntra-raterreliabilityrangedfrom0824to

Poster Abstracts - Graduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

0.933 and significant inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.66 (PE and CW, moderate) to 0.722 (high, PE and JN). Following MSK US education, training, and practice, DPTS’ achieved significant robust reliability coefficients with high to very high intra-rater reliability and moderate to high inter-rater reliability MSKUSI presents multiple opportunities for variability: transducer placement and image analysis when determining GMTT MSKUS can be reliably used by DPTS and can be considered an entry-level skill

The Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Arterial Stiffness and Cognitive Function in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study.

Brandon M. Alina1*, Ashley M. Foltz1*, Madi A. Oberbreckling1*, Erin A. Smith1*, Jabari J. Wilbon1*, Veronica M. Yevsukov1*, and Thomas K Pellinger1, PhD, ACSM CEP & EP-C; NSCA CSCS

1*Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Elevated aortic and carotid artery stiffness are associated with subclinical brain damage and cognitive impairment Fish oil (FO) is a popular dietary supplement that lowers blood pressure and aortic stiffness However, the hypothesis that FO supplementation reduces carotid artery stiffness and improves cognitive function in healthy adults requires further investigation. Our objective was to determine the effects of FO supplementation on arterial stiffness and cognitive function in healthy adults We hypothesized that 6-weeks of FO supplementation would lower arterial stiffness and improve cognitive function

25 healthy adults were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-arms intervention to investigate the effects of 6-week FO supplementation (4g/day) on vascular and cognitive function Aortic stiffness was measured using applanation tonometry and quantified as carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and beta-stiffness index (bstiff), and carotid artery stiffness was determined using ultrasonography. Cognitive function was assessed using NIH toolbox cognitive battery A two-way analysis of variance was used to test differences in treatment groups over time

The mean (± SD) baseline age, body mass index, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure was 404 ± 206 years, 237 ± 24 kg/m2, 1209 ± 147 mmHg, and 749 ± 124 mmHg in the fish oil group and 333 ± 145 years, 253 ± 39 kg/m2, 1208 ± 64 mmHg, and 719 ± 78 mmHg in the placebo group, respectively Compared to the national averages, our participants scored slightly above average (within one standard deviation) on all tests within the NIH cognitive battery. Within-group comparison revealed no differences in central or peripheral blood pressure, aortic or carotid stiffness, and cognitive function after fish oil supplementation (all p>005)

Our preliminary data suggest that in healthy, cognitively normal adults, 6- weeks of FO supplementation does not impact indices of arterial stiffness or cognitive function Further investigation with more participants and of longer duration is needed to confirm our findings regarding the effects of fish oil supplementation on carotid artery stiffness and cognitive function

The Effects of Nutritionally Enhanced Corn Dried, Distillers Grains with Solubles Prepared by Alkali Hydrolysis as an Antimicrobial Alternatives on Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Broilers.

E. Noh1*, W K Kim2, A K Singh2, B R Min1

1Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

2Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

A major cause of antimicrobial resistance is the misuse of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in animal production

Phenolic acids, phytochemicals that are considered promising AGP alternatives, are considerably rich in corn dried distiller grain (DDGS) but have extremely low bioavailability In the previous study, nutritionally enhanced corn dried distiller grains with solubles (NE-DDGS) prepared by alkali hydrolysis were developed to enrich bioavailable phenolic acids This study aimed to determine the potential of alkai hydrolyzed NE-DDGS as the economically viable alternative to AGPs in broiler production Broiler male chicks were raised for 42 days with corn/soybean meal diets blended with alkali hydrolyzed NEDDGS (6%) with Ca(OH)2 at 3 concentrations 0 375, 0 45, and 0 525 mol/kg WDG (wet distillers grains) Negative and Positive Control diets included commercial DDGS (6%) with or without AGP (Bacitracin methylene disalicylate 50, 500 g/tonne of feed), respectively Growth performance, breast meat quality, and oxidative stress of broilers were determined

Breast meat from NE-DDGS-fed broilers indicated higher oxidative stability compared to controls (P<0 05), probably due to a higher concentration of bioavailable phenolic acids Breast meat from NE-DDGS-fed broilers also showed higher functional properties, including water holding capacity and moisture uptake, compared to controls (P<0 05), likely due to lower protein oxidation and denaturation Other meat quality parameters such as textural properties of breast meat from NE-DDGS-fed broilers were not different from controls These results suggested that alkali hydrolyzed NE-DDGS, rich in bioavailable phenolic acids, has economically feasible potential as an AGP alternative to maintain/improve broiler health, productivity, and meat quality

Poster Abstracts - Graduate (Titles

in Alphabetical Order)

The Effects of Thermo-Cooling during Competitive Rugby Performance on Wheelchair Athlete Players with Spinal Cord Injury

Gammons,

A*, Snyder, S.*, and Klima, D1 Department of Physical Therapy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Wheelchair Rugby is an emerging popular adaptive sport for individuals with spinal cord injury who face a variety of cardiovascular impairments, including thermoregulatory dysfunction. Recent implementation of pre-cooling strategies and heat assimilation protocols that improve performance and decrease thermal strain are being explored The aim of this focused critically appraised topic was to examine the effect of thermoregulatory interventions on athletic performance in persons with spinal cord injury Thermoregulatory techniques were defined as any intervention that delays the rise of internal core temperature or improve heat tolerance with increasing intensity or duration of competitive play. A comprehensive literature search was conducted over the past ten years with the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, and the Ovid portal Studies were rated using Sackett’s Level of Evidence Three studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included within the critically appraised topic Two of the studies described that various methods of pre-cooling techniques can reduce overall thermal strain during play whereas the third study suggested heat acclimatization protocols may improve cardiovascular function The use of thermoregulatory interventions prior to competition or intermittently throughout matches may be effective in decreasing thermal strain and improving athletic performance by delaying the rise of core temperature during play The clinical application/strength of recommendation is derived from consistent findings from two designs (1 fieldbased, 1 cross-over) and a quasi-experimental study depict Sackett’s Level 2b evidence Findings support the use of thermoregulatory interventions for increasing athletic performance and managing thermal strain during competition.

The Intersectionality of Environmental Conflict and Disability in Maryland, Other States, and Abroad Abstract

Jake M. Goodman*

*Department of Conflict Analysis & Dispute Resolution, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, 21801

In many parts of the world that have been severely impacted by the effects of environmental conflict there unfortunately is often a disturbing trend that natural disasters, manmade disasters, and pollution tend to hurt marginalized communities the most More specifically individuals with disabilities are at a greater risk to the effects of natural disasters, manmade disasters, and pollution when living in low income areas near sources of pollution such ax factories and incinerators Here I will show examples of how this dynamic plays out locally within Maryland, on the domestic level in other parts of the United States, and on the international level in other parts of the world. The purpose of this is to educate policy makers and the public on how to better address environmental concerns and prevent the harmful impacts pollution has on individuals with disabilities It is also meant to educate local governments how to better prepare individuals with disabilities for natural disasters, while at the same time making evacuation and rescue procedures more accessible

PG30

The Pharmacist-Provided Telehealth Services and Outcomes: A Scoping Review

Brittney Henry, PharmD candidate* and Hoai-An Truong, PharmD, MPH, FAPhA, FNAP School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

The use of telehealth has been accelerated by recent advancements in technology and the COVID-19 pandemic. This innovative approach involving pharmacists providing virtual health visits from a remote location, has slowly been gaining traction for some time, however the pandemic placed a demand on its use This sudden transition resulted in a lack of readiness tools and training for healthcare professionals In response, a team of researchers conducted a scoping review to explore the readiness of pharmacists to provide telehealth services The focus was to identify and analyze available and published literature on telehealth services and outcomes including humanistic, economic, and clinical impact During March 2023, a thorough literature search was done using various search engines and key terms resulting in the comparison of fifteen peer-reviewed articles Search terms included: telehealth, telemedicine, COVID-19, insurance, virtual medicine, remote healthcare Search engines used included PubMed, Google Scholar, Medscape, and the National Library of Medicine All fifteen articles showed the benefits of telehealth, and four studies show documented improvement in clinical outcomes. Five studies reveal the economic benefits and explore how third-party payors are covering the costs associated with telemedicine saving patients money Telehealth has also shown to likely offer humanistic benefits, such as improving health disparities, increasing accessibility to care for patients with disabilities, and underserved communities Based on current available literature, it appears that telehealth services offered by pharmacists are a positive addition to the healthcare system in managing chronic conditions, providing alternative access to treatment, and improving patient health outcomes

Poster Abstracts - Undergraduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Evaluating the Effects of Methyl benzoate and its Derivatives on Spotted Wing Drosophila

Kimberly Okpah¹*, Tigist Tolosa¹, Simon Zebelo¹,2, Aijun Zhang3

¹Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

2Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

3Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center-West, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, has become a major challenge to berry growers in most countries Controlling SWD using chemical insecticides is neither fully effective nor environmentally safe Therefore, there is a need to develop an alternative pest control to synthetic insecticides. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of methyl benzoate (MB), a volatile organic compound that exists naturally as a floral fragrance in many plants, and its derivatives on adult SWD under laboratory conditions The fumigation toxicity experiment was set in 11250mL Erlenmeyer flasks, with 10 SWD sets per flack Each chemical was prepared at five different concentrations and acetone was the control After 24hr exposure, a high mortality rate was recorded for methyl benzoate (MD), ethyl benzoate (EB), and n-Propyl benzoate (nPrB) at concentrations of 23% and 30% Similarly, toxicity against SWD was recorded on (LC50 = 17 4% MB, 24 1% EB, and 62 4 nPrB) However, the compounds benzyl benzoate (BB), n-Pentyl benzoate (nPeB), and other derivatives tested in this experiment did not show a significant difference between the different concentrations Our preliminary laboratory study provided insight that using MB, naturally occurring VOC’S is the best alternative for SWD control Further fumigation toxicity experiments need to be done with different concentrations to substantiate the obtained results

ExaminingHomelessnessintheUnitedStates KeneshaDieshields*¹andBillieBrocato¹ 1DepartmentofSocialSciences,UniversityofMarylandEasternShore,PrincessAnne,MD21853

This project examines homelessness in the United States and associated factors contributing to the marginalization of those without shelter, including families, the chronically unhoused and military veterans. There were 580,466 homeless people in the country in 2020, both on the streets and in shelters Seventy percent were single people, while the remaining twenty percent were members of households with kids Every gender, race, and ethnicity were represented, and they lived in every state and territory My research describes and investigates the contributing factors leading to short-term and chronic homelessness Generally, the data demonstrated that average rent and the cost of living were positively correlated with homelessness Homelessness is inversely correlated with income since it declines as income increases One of the purposes of this research is to identify future trends in homelessness by using the ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression model. Additionally, I will identify, describe, and compare those factors that could selectively determine homelessness for individuals, families, and military veterans The data showed that homelessness in families with children decreased by 27 percent between 2007 and 2020 but moved higher in 2016; chronic individual homelessness dropped by 35 percent since 2007 Also, veteran homelessness decreased47percentsinceitspeakin2009 Thefindingsdemonstratedthateachgroupstudiedexperiencedhomelessnessin different ways Short-term individual homelessness and the chronic homeless population shows an upward trend, but homelessness decreased for families and military veterans. The result of my project showed that homelessness is a complex issueaffectingdemographicgroupsdifferentlyandwillcontinueinthefutureifnotaddressed

PU3 Phytochemical Development Over the Ripening Process of Aronia Mitschurinii, Sambucus Nigra, Morus Alba and lonicera Caerulea

¹Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

2University of Maryland Extension, Wye Research & Education Center, P O Box 169, Queenstown, MD 21658

A high demand for super fruit and nutraceuticals derived from these fruits has appeared in the market to address the need for products with high antioxidant contents Aronia mitschurinii is a fruit which can satisfy this demand as it has one of highest known antioxidants content and low sugars Research has been completed since 2006 studying the cultural management of aronia and antioxidant content per harvest, however in-depth phytochemical analysis over the ripening period has yet to be performed The need for in-depth study of ripening arises from preliminary data for aronia that clearly shows peaks for both anthocyanins and soluble sugars, yet these two peaks may be up to 2-3 weeks apart, while the visual color of the berries is the same It is important to harvest on the peak of anthocyanins for pharmaceutical needs, while for food production the harvesting should happen on the peak of brix This project has two fundamental goals: (1) observe the ripening of aronia and find both laboratory and in-field methods to determine the optimal harvesting time; and (2) compare the data for four berries with almost same (and much higher than other known fruits) content of anthocyanins, to determine if they have the same or different ripeness patterns. The results for total content of anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and brix over the ripening period for aronia, elderberries, mulberries and haskaps is presented, along with phytochemical screening of juice from the berries

Ezra Cable*¹ , Breann Green¹ , Deborah G. Sauder¹ , Andrew G. Ristvey2*, Victoria Volkis¹

Poster Abstracts - Undergraduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites from Canadian Geese (Branta canadensis) on UMES Campus

Yeganeh Mansourian, Jaweria Sheikh*¹, and Mobolaji Okulate¹

¹University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD, 21853

The accurate detection of the prevalence and intensity of gastrointestinal parasite infections is key to understanding the effect of parasites on the biology, behavior, and the conservation of hosts Infections caused by gastrointestinal parasites in geese and other birds, usually bring clinical signs of diarrhea, dysentery, and in some cases, death Gastrointestinal helminths can cause severe lesions that may affect the health and even the survival of their hosts The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites and bacteria from the Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) on UMES campus A total of 50 fecal samples were collected Different kinds of cysts, eggs and helminths were found

The Miseducation of Pit Bulls in America

Kaleigh Powell*¹and Billie Brocato¹

¹ Department of Social Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Despite domestication and loyalty, human fatalities caused by dog bites remain a persistent issue in the United States My research compares three-large, dog breeds and associated human fatalities with a focus on explaining negative public perceptions of the American Pit Bull Additionally, I examined the number of dog bites reported in the five Boroughs of New York City from 2015 to 2020 by breed and size to better identify breeds with aggressive behaviors An analysis of the annual percentage change of dog bites by breed for the above years was completed Two-sample difference of means hypothesis tests were used to identify which of the three breeds had a significant number of human fatalities The findings demonstrated that Pit Bull-related human fatalities were NOT significantly higher than Rottweilers (t-test = 1.15; p < 0.867). However, Pit Bulls had a significantly higher number of dog bite fatalities compared to German Shepherds (t-test = 3 88; p < 0 0001) Additionally, Rottweilers did NOT have a significantly greater number of dog bite-caused human fatalities compared to German Shepherds (ttest = 1 50; p < 0 93) Regarding reported dog bites, Pit Bulls had the highest number of recorded incidents followed by small breeds (Terriers); medium-sized breeds (Retrievers) had the fewest dog bite reports Female dog bites exceeded their male counterparts in each size and breed It may be respectively assumed that small breeds may not have a ‘known’ title as aggressive due to a significant disparity in reported mauling

PU6 The Negative Impacts that Violence has on Both Human Health and Safety.

¹ Department of

Sean Thompson*¹ and Billie Brocato¹

Social Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

My research will accomplish explanatory data that will conduct the understanding of violence The method of data collection I used was the ordinary least squares regression analysis, which will demonstrate that violent crime will remain at current peak levels. This integrative review of the literature synthesizes findings of previous research studies about the impact of crime between Baltimore city and the United States Additionally, the environment influences crime, the things that contribute to crime, and unemployment levels in Maryland, Baltimore, and the United States My analysis demonstrates that violent crime throughout the upcoming years will either stay the same, or they will change I mention this in my hypothesis section as well, my studies will conduct at the nation, state, and local levels of which crimes are committed the most In my studies, I have data research from robbery, assault, rape, homicide, and overall, all violent crime In summary, the impression of violence going on in communities continue to not change, violence against victims has been recognized as a significant issue in modern society, with long-term effects on their physical, social, emotional, and economic Well-being as well as those of their racial/ethnic, class, religious, regional, and age groups and identities. The negative impacts that violence has on both human health and safety as well as communal well-being are highlighted by the impact of violence

PU7

UsingaRipenessGaugetomeasureAnthocyaninsandBrixofSuperfoods

RyanBuzzettoMore*¹, Ezra Cable,¹ Andrew G Ristvey,¹ and Victoria V Volkis¹

¹Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

¹University of Maryland Extension, Wye Research & Education Center, PO Box 169, Queenstown, MD 21658-0169

Aronia mitschurinii is a crop obtained by crossbreeding 25% of Mountain Ash with 75% of Aronia Melanocarpa Aronia has been known as a fruit having highest known antioxidant contents, making it a superfood Recently we have shown that elderberries, and mulberries have anthocyanin content comparable to aronia The results for aronia show that both anthocyanins and brix reach peaks over the ripening period, yet those peaks occur 2.5-3 weeks apart. Harvesting at the peak of anthocyanins is important for nutraceutical applications, while for food applications harvesting at the peak of brix is required However, the color is the same at both peaks, presenting a challenge for farmers to decide on harvesting dates Current laboratory methods for brix are relatively simple, while measuring anthocyanins requires expensive lab equipment that is out of reach for farmers This creat-

Poster Abstracts - Undergraduate

(Titles in Alphabetical Order)

es a need for a cheap, simple, portable testing kit to test both brix and anthocyanins in the field Anthocyanins in berries are in glucoside form, with cyanidin-3-glucoside (C-3Glu) being the major one We have observed that at neutral pH, the measurement made with a glucometer gives readings proportional to the brix content observed with refractometer, whereas at acidic pH the glucometer measures both soluble glucose and the hydrolyzed glucoside from C-3Glu, giving readings proportional to anthocyanin content measured by UV/Vis The results show that the glucometer can be used to obtain accurate readings proportional to the trend of anthocyanins and brix obtained using laboratory methods

Unpurified Chitin Derived from Seafood Waste as a Reversible and Biocompatible Sorbent for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

Raekayla Johnson*¹ , Preeti Sharma, and Victoria Volkis

¹ Department of Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is one of the four main greenhouse gases and one of the most danger pollutions to the atmosphere resulted by human activities, especially by use of coal to produce electricity The indirect effect from CO2 pollution is so-called global warming, a highly controversial effect that has become a subject of many discussions. Yet, NOAA has demonstrated that currently the surface temperature on earth increases by two degrees Celsius every century

Carbon capturing and sequestration (CCS) is a concept that has been used to reduce pollution of CO2 The focus is on power plants because they alone are responsible for about 40 % of the pollution, as well as because technologically it is the easiest target to reduce pollution

Chitin, the polysaccharide that can be derived from seafood shells, is able to bind CO2 with its multiple amine groups The material is biocompatible We have shown that raw chitin from shrimps and crabs shells can act as an effective and reversible sorbent for carbon sequestration, when hydrolyzed to low molecular weight oligomers The process of isolation, hydrolysis and purification of chitin, and the carbon sorption data are presented.

Judges & Moderators

Judges Moderators

Dr George Ojie-Ahamiojie

Mr Rondald Clark

Mr Chinedu Ahuchaogu

Mr Erasmus Aduteye

Ms Tahirah Johnson

Ms Amelia Potter

Dr Kelsie Endicott

JUDGES' SCHEDULE - ORAL SESSIONS

JUDGES’ COMMITTEE

Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde, Rhashanda Haywood, and Uchenna Nwonye

JUDGES' SCHEDULE - POSTER SESSIONS

JUDGES’ COMMITTEE

Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde, Rhashanda Haywood, and Uchenna Nwonye

MODERATORS SCHEDULE

JUDGES’ COMMITTEE

Dr. Jackson-Ayotunde, Rhashanda Haywood, and Uchenna Nwonye

Graduate Programs & Directors

Dr. Payma Matin M.S. Applied Computer Science

Dr Tyler Love M Ed Career and Technology Education

Dr Victoria Volkis M S Chemistry

Dr Cheryl Bowers M Ed Counselor Education

Dr Robert Brown M S Criminology & Criminal Justice

Dr. Stephan Tubene

M.M.S. Physician Assistant Studies

Dr. Caleb Nindo

P S M Quantitative Fisheries & Resource Economics

Dr. Bridgett Clinton-Scott

M.S. Rehabilitation Counselling

Dr. Grattan C. Baldwin

M.S. Human Ecology

Dr Patricia Goselee M Ed Special Education

Dr Patrice JacksonAyotunde

Ed D Education Leadership

Dr Tiffany Maxwell

Dr Michael Rabel

Dr. Bryan Gere

Dr. Patricia Goslee Special Education (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

Dr Miriam Purnell Rural Health Disparities (Post-Baccalaureate Certificate)

Dr Ali Ishaque M S /Ph D Toxicology

Dr. Derrek Dunn M S Cybersecurity Engineering Technology

Dr Derrek Dunn

Ph.D. Food and Agricultural Sciences

Dr Ernest England

M S Marine Estuarine Environmental Science

Dr Yuanwei Jon

Dr Tao Gong Ph D Organizational Leadership

Dr Yuanwei Jin Ph D Applied Computing and Engineering M S Data Science and Analytics Engineering M S Electrical and Mechatronics Engineering

M.S. Food and Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Eric May

M S /Ph D Pharmaceutical Sciences

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Dr Paulinus Chigbu